NY Statute of Limitations - Service Work

[ml1234]

I am trying to collect wages for work that I completed in the summer of 2001. I won't go into why I waited so long to collect... But, a little history is that I created a website for an acquaintence. As far as I remember, we didn't discuss a rate initally. I did keep track of my hours and I have approximately 220 e-mails which show the extent of the work that I did. I have a rate in mind that I feel is fair, but he won't budge from a really low number that he wants to give me. I feel that I have a strong case in small claims court, but the only unknown is the statute of limitations. Did I wait too long?

Thanks in advance for the help...

[Pattymd]

Did you wait too long? Yes. The Dept. of Labor will not take a claim this far back. You can try contacting an attorney to see if you can file a civil suit, but I would not be optimistic.

[ml1234]

Patty,

Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry that I am a little confused. You said that the dept. of labor won't take a claim. But, what if I go directly to small claims court - not file a claim directly with the department of labor. Is this different? Or, does the law say that the statute is, for example, 4 years?

Thanks...