Legal Question in Employment Law in California

If you can 'prove' you were owed the rate and pay, yes.

Your word is not proof. What evidence, documents, witnesses do you have to prove it?

IF you can, then you can file a claim with the local office of the CA Labor Commissioner.

More facts are needed. Underpaid how? Were you paid less than minimum wage of $8.00 per hour or were you paid less than what was promised or were you paid less overtime than what was owed? If wages were "willfully withheld" after you were laid off, you may be owed up to 30 days' pay as a penalty, plus the amount of unpaid wages and the law states that your employer "shall" pay your attorneys' fees. Call an employment law attorney to discuss. Many of us offer a free initial phone consultation.