Can you be compensated for a long term verbal agreement?

[Emily G]

What is the name of your state?From the state of WV.

I worked for a dance instructor for more than 15 years in exchange for lessons for my daughter. After a personal dispute, I decided to quit "working" for this person. A few months afterwards, she sued me through Magistrate court for the current year's worth of lessons. Because she had others lie for her and I didn't have an attorney present, she won!

I want to know if I can file a complaint with the Department of Labor and receive compensation for all the years I worked there. I have several students and parents that are willing to support me as witnesses. I also have documentation showing that I was her assistant in all of her media publications!

In addition, she only has a sole proprietor status for her business, yet she pays others who assist her. She pays them cash to prevent any tax trail. She also does not pay taxes (state or federal) or workers compensation for her "employees."

Any preliminary advice would be appreciated before I contact the Department of Labor.

 

[Beth3]

My preliminary advice is to ask whether you declared the value of these lessons as income/wages on your tax returns and paid income taxes accordingly. This "honesty" situation is a two-way street which you were perfectly okay with for 15 years until you and the owner had a parting of the ways.

Since you bartered your services in exchange for lessons, I see no reason why the owner shouldn't have been paid once you quit.

 

[Emily G]

This issue is that she lied to the magistrate and told him that I never taught! Of course you never think people would lie, but if I knew that she was going to, I would have brought my witnesses!

Yes, I did agree to the situation of exchange, however, she didn't fulfill the agreement because she lied. I did until I stop working for her!

And...we've only been exchanging for my daughter's lessons for 3 years. The other 12 years, I didn't receive anything in exchange!

I also have a current civil case against her (behind the scenes) because she has been harrassing my family for the past several months and even has slandered my name to mutual contacts, businesses, and friends. She even tried to get me fired from my official job!

Any additional advice?