Legal Question in Employment Law in California

If you were truly an independent contractor, your recourse is to sue in small claims court. You may, however, have illegally been classified as a contractor rather than as an employee, even before the new "gig employee" law went into effect this year. So you might want to contact the state labor board and see what they have to say. If they find you were illegally classified as a contractor they can help you prosecute a wage and hour claim, which would carry penalties as well as getting your unpaid wages. https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/