To make a long story short, I (First Party) took a contract through a consultancy (Second Party), to be contracted to another consultancies (Third Party) client (Fourth Party – Involving two projects). After many hours of analysis, a template was provided (by Third Party) to be used as the System Test Script repository. Part way into the document, I was also assigned (by Third Party) to go out on a new client site to do an initial assessment. Once completed, I felt a need to clean up the local drive and USB drive files used for all projects. Up to this point in time I have used two additional back-up repositories of my own to audit my work. Well you may have guessed, I deleted one sub-directory that contained my current version of the test scripts.
After returning home, continuing to work on the required assessment document, the drive containing the deleted directory had overwritten the sectors, thus, I was hosed.
The Third Party Manager was provided (by me) a solution to mitigate the lost document (without my billing him) and provide the document, presented up to date within three days. He declined. I learned later that he retracted the bill to the Fourth Party (11,000 – US), and refused to pay for any subsequent invoices submitted by me.
I’m out 3600 dollars for my time already worked.
The Second Party refuses to push the issue with the Third Party, because they have other accounts in other states they want to maintain.
I have no recource here except file a suit against two consultant companies.
I don’t know if it is worth it.