Zimmer, Biomet Dodge Sales Rep’s Overtime and Break Claims

A medical device sales representative’s overtime and break claims against Zimmer US Inc. were tossed by a federal court in California because he is an “outside salesperson” exempt from federal and California labor laws.

James Karl, a San Francisco-based orthopedic device sales representative, brought a putative class action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc., Zimmer US Inc., Biomet Inc., Biomet U.S. Reconstruction LLC, and Biomet Biologics LLC.

Karl alleged that he and other sales representatives were misclassified as independent contractors, causing overtime, rest break, meal period, business expense reimbursement, ...