Contractor Charging Me for Excessive Hours

[blueaz]

My question involves independent contractors in the state of: Wa

I hired an independent contractor to run an event for me. She just sent me the invoice and charged me double what we verbally agreed upon for the contract, including over 200 billable hours to herself. My question is does she have to show any proof for her billable hours and what proof is that?
Do I have any recourse against her for the abuse of charges?
(I know I should have had more in writing... my mistake that I won't make again)

Thanks in advance and if anyone needs any additional information, please let me know.

[jk]

until this gets into court, nobody has to prove anything to anybody. Of course, the other party doesn't have to respond as demanded if they are not in agreement either.


so, if you go to court, you will both get to state your understanding of the contract. If the other party is successful her understanding is correct and she can adequately support her claim, she will win. If she can't, then she will lose.


The plaintiff does have the obligation of proving their claim.

Do I have any recourse against her for the abuse of charges?

what is "abuse of charges"?

[blueaz]

sorry for miscommunication "abuse of charges" meant, her submitting an invoice for a double what was agreed upon and what i can do about that..?

[jk]

sorry for miscommunication "abuse of charges" meant, her submitting an invoice for a double what was agreed upon and what i can do about that..?

if you do not believe you are obligated to the claim per your contract, then refuse to pay it. If she believes it is a valid claim under your contract, she will likely object to the failure to pay the demand. You two either negotiate an agreement or leave it lay. She can file suit if she wishes to take it further.