JudyDudiak
Junior Member
I am a computer/business consultant in Las Vegas, NV. A local corporation contracted me to develop a series of databases. I installed and was paid for several of the modules. The contract for a smaller add-on module has been breached. I installed and was testing the add-on when the company decided to go into a different direction. Their decision was based what could be illegal business practices.
The total (signed) contract for this add-on was $12,000. They paid $6,000 and stopped me when I had the project 95% completed and installed at their location. The CFO verbally admitted nothing was wrong with my work and recommitted to paying me the balance. That was a year ago.
They have not responded to my calls or certified letters for demand of payment. In my December, 2000 letter to them, I warned I would take legal action next. Nevada Small Claims limit is currently $5,000. I have quite a bit of paralegal experience in financial planning areas but zero in litigation. I plan on representing myself and filing a breach of contract lawsuit in the appropriate jurisdiction.
This $6,000 represents a substantial sum to me. The lack of timely payment caused many problems last year. I have been and will be spending a good deal of non-billable time on this before it's over. For me, non-billable time directly translates to loss of wages. What damages can I sue for and what would be an appropriate amount? This is a fairly large, successful company, wholly-owned by a very wealthy individual. I've been keeping track of my time spent. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
The total (signed) contract for this add-on was $12,000. They paid $6,000 and stopped me when I had the project 95% completed and installed at their location. The CFO verbally admitted nothing was wrong with my work and recommitted to paying me the balance. That was a year ago.
They have not responded to my calls or certified letters for demand of payment. In my December, 2000 letter to them, I warned I would take legal action next. Nevada Small Claims limit is currently $5,000. I have quite a bit of paralegal experience in financial planning areas but zero in litigation. I plan on representing myself and filing a breach of contract lawsuit in the appropriate jurisdiction.
This $6,000 represents a substantial sum to me. The lack of timely payment caused many problems last year. I have been and will be spending a good deal of non-billable time on this before it's over. For me, non-billable time directly translates to loss of wages. What damages can I sue for and what would be an appropriate amount? This is a fairly large, successful company, wholly-owned by a very wealthy individual. I've been keeping track of my time spent. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.