Mechanics' lien for unpaid IT work?

[dgillz]

Several years ago I was a subcontractor on a job that went south, and the main contractor/consultant got fired. I ended up settling the debt directly with the client rather than with the main consultant, at the clients' urging.

What amazed me about this is they had me sign a document saying I would not bring action against them. In my mind I had no case against them -- they never hired me. All in all I was happy to get the 75% of my money, and I took it.

In asking about this document they had me sign, they explained that according to their lawyer, I could come against them in an action that is substantially the same as a mechanics' lien.

I have never done any research on this, and I was curious if anyone out there has ever used this, run into this or dealt with anything similar.

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Exact Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.trianglepartners.com

 

[unixtechie]

Why are you bringing up something that happened "several years ago" ?

 

[dgillz]

I have another situation that I may use this on to get paid that recently came up.

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Exact Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.trianglepartners.com

 

[CajunCenturion]

You might want to check into the following site as this varies from state to state both on its existance, and if so, the means of methods of applicability.

http://www.asashop.org/legis/lien.htm

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[ANFPS26]

Sounds like you need a lawyer.

Jim

 

[sleipnir214]

<aside>
<sarcasm>
dgillz:

I have another situation that I may use this on to get paid that recently came up.

???

I remember a piece of doggerel I learned the better part of 35 years ago:

Don't ever go out in a roofless boat
Or the people in your ship'll
be attacked by the scourge of the dismal swamp,
the Dangling Participle.

</sarcasm>
</aside>


All:
The list to which CajunCenturion posted a link is incomplete. I know Louisiana, for example, has something similar to a mechanic's lien or a contractor's lien, but the list mentions nothing for Louisiana.

Laws on liens can be squirrely. I found a link at the Univerity of Texas Law School titled &quot;Louisiana Liens for Services to Horses&quot;, which states &quot;Louisiana has a veterinarian’s lien and a breeder’s lien, but no farrier’s lien.&quot;

Now Louisiana's legal system is weirder that most, but I think ANFPS26 is right -- consult legal representation.

Want the best answers? Ask the best questions:

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[skotman]

<scarcasm>Lousisana laws are strange? NOOO of course not...</scarcasm>

I live here and found out the hard way that the only industries that have pay roll laws are oil/gas and any thing governed by the public service commision. I had to quit my job in order to collect for back pay roll legally. If thats not messed up I dont know what is...I'm in the process of writing to my US and Sate rep suggesting a law like CA has where companies can be docked for late payroll. In CA its like a 100 bucks a day that it's late.

Scott Heath

http://www.scottspad.com

AIM: orange7288