In what planet does a lawsuit cost hundreds of dollars?
This one. That's what the filing fees are for a lawsuit like this. There's no rule saying you have to pay a lawyer to write a statement of claim.
Edit:
Courts deal with contract law disputes all the time. It's their bread and butter, everyday, nothing special stuff.
$405
https://www.caed.uscourts.gov/caednew/index.cfm/attorney-inf...