I worked as an independent benefits consultant for VitalSpring Technologies of McLean, VA for 10 months in 2005-2006. Despite the consulting agreement they signed, payment was slow and incomplete for my billable hours and out-of-pocket expenses for providing benefits management expertise to support sales, product development and client services. VitalSpring finally signed a promissory note to pay the considerable sum still outstanding early in 2007, then made a few of the very modest monthly payments agreed to, and has paid me nothing for almost 3 years!
I shouldn't have to hire a lawyer and incur more out-of-pocket expense to collect the many thousands of dollars VitalSpring still owes me!