Do I have grounds to sue as a temporary employee that has been treated like an employee?

If by suing for your equal rights, you mean being entitled to overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 per week, then yes, it sounds like you have a very good case for proving that you were actually an employee being treated as an independent contractor.  This would be a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.  We would need more facts to be sure.  Were you in fact working more than 40 hours per week and not getting paid 1.5 times your hourly rate?  If so, you may be able to make a claim for the unpaid overtime wages.  However, you can only go back two years, not necessarily to your start date if that was earlier. This answer is given in accordance with the laws of Virginia and may not be applicable in any other state.  It should not be construed as legal advice, as that would require a more thorough analysis of all of the facts involved in a specific case.  If you need further information or assistance, please feel free to contact my office for a consultation. Case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case.