cheated for being nice

[dia1722]

Hi
In Washington state. Island County.
I help someone get his business going by babysitting. I gave 200 hours a month and received a fraction of what I charged for four years on the understanding I would receive my wages and more o0nce he got his business going, now that his business is going I am told I will not be paid what I am owed.
10,600 owed less than 4000 each year
How can I sue for my wages?
Do i have to file small claims for each year or is there a way to do it all at once?

 

[Happy Trails]

Hi
In Washington state. Island County.
I help someone get his business going by babysitting. I gave 200 hours a month and received a fraction of what I charged for four years on the understanding I would receive my wages and more o0nce he got his business going, now that his business is going I am told I will not be paid what I am owed.
10,600 owed less than 4000 each year
How can I sue for my wages?
Do i have to file small claims for each year or is there a way to do it all at once?

Do you have anything in writing? How will you prove your case?

 

[dia1722]

I have many hours recorder on calendars and witnesses. I have the agreement in writing but not signed.
I can prove the children were with me I charged far below market value so the agreement/ billed amount is way reasonable and believable. He has no proof he paid me at all so what he got credit for is also reasonable/believable. Isn't a verbal agreement for pay for services enough?

 

[cbg]

Were you employed by his business or were you an independent contractor? It makes a difference where I direct you.

 

[Happy Trails]

I have hours and payments made recorder on calander and whitnesses i have the agreement in writing but not signed.

Without the agreement being signed, he no doubt will deny that you had an agreement. Witnesses may help, however it would be up to the Judge on whether or not they would be credible.

Small claims in WA is limited to $4000.00.

It might be worth it to have an attorney review your evidence and what your witnesses have to say. They can better evaluate if you have a strong enough case. I personally think it will be a 'he says/she says' case.

Also, you wrote that he told you, that you wouldn't be getting what he owed. Did he offer any money?

 

[dia1722]

private contractor.
No judge could believe i did it for free.
I have witnesses to the agreement and that he owes.

 

[dia1722]

He offer 2,000 of 10,600 and honestly it was not that serious.

 

[cbg]

Since you were not an employee, the state DOL will not be able to help you. You're going to have to sue him for it.

According to another poster your claim is over the limit for small claims court. I don't know WA civil law well enough to say if that is correct or not (although I believe it is) but my suggestion would be that you speak to a local attorney about your options. Many give free or low cost consultations.

 

[dia1722]

In small claim court can i sue for each year up to 4000?