ALBANY, NY--(MARKET WIRE)--Feb 25, 2008 -- On Thursday, February 21, 2008, a complaint for unpaid overtime was filed in Albany, New York by current and former employees against WellPoint, Inc., one of the nation's largest medical health benefits company. WellPoint is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and operates call centers in states all over the country. The Plaintiffs work or worked as utilization review nurses, case management nurses, and medical management nurses in these call centers, answering telephone calls from hospitals, members, and providers.

The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for Northern District of New York. Plaintiffs are represented by Donald H. Nichols, Paul J. Lukas, and Rachhana T. Srey of the law firm of Nichols Kaster & Anderson, PLLP. The case is entitled Ruggles, et al. v. WellPoint, Inc., Case No. 08-cv-201. Plaintiffs seek overtime wages under the Fair Labor Standards Act and New York state wage and hour law. The complaint is brought as a purported collective and class action.

Rachhana T. Srey explained, "These call center nurses allege that they should be treated as non-exempt workers and paid overtime. They spend the majority of their work day answering telephone calls and entering data into WellPoint's computer system. A nursing degree does not automatically make them exempt from overtime under federal and state laws. The law requires us to look at their actual job duties."

Individuals may find additional information at www.overtimecases.com or by calling Nichols Kaster & Anderson toll free at (877) 448-0492.

     Contact:
     Rachhana T. Srey
     Nichols Kaster & Anderson, PLLP
     612-256-3239