Is someone interfering with your business contracts or relationships? A lawyer can help you address these challenges effectively by filing a tortious interference claim against them. Here’s what you need to know about tortious interference and the different types of claims that can address it.
What Is Tortious Interference?
Tortious interference happens when one party intentionally damages another’s business relationships or contracts. This interference can cause financial losses or scuttle business deals. The law protects businesses from such wrongful actions, allowing them to seek damages and other relief if they can prove someone unlawfully interfered with their contracts or prospective economic advantages. To demonstrate tortious interference, you must prove that the interfering party knew about the relationship or contract and aimed to damage it, leading to actual economic harm for your business.
Common Types of Tortious Interference Claims
Tortious interference refers to deliberate actions an individual or company takes to harm a company’s contractual or business relationships. The following examples highlight some common types of tortious interference that businesses encounter and illustrate how they can affect a company’s performance and legal standing:
- Interfering with Contracts: Contract interference occurs when a third party knows about a contract and deliberately encourages one of the parties to breach it. For example, a competitor might offer a better deal to a supplier under contract with another business, causing the supplier to break their original agreement.
- Interfering with Business Relationships: Sometimes, one party might disrupt a prospective business relationship that doesn’t yet involve a formal contract. This could involve spreading false information about a business to drive away potential clients.
- Inducing Breaches of Contract: Another form of outside interference is convincing a party to a contract not to fulfill their agreement. For example, an executive might convince a vendor not to fill an order as a way of disrupting a competitor’s operations.
- Sabotaging Business Opportunities: This type of interference involves actions that prevent a business from capitalizing on prospective opportunities. For example, a party might buy up all available supplies that a competitor needs to fulfill a big order, knowing it will cause the competitor to fail in delivering its products on time.
How a Lawyer Can Help with Your Tortious Interference Claim
A skilled lawyer can be a valuable ally in protecting your business’s interests against tortious interference. They can help you by:
- Evaluating the Case: A lawyer can review the details of your situation to determine if the actions in question rose to the level of tortious interference. They will look at the facts, assess any breaches, and identify losses resulting from the interference to build a solid foundation for your case.
- Gathering Evidence: An experienced lawyer can identify and gather necessary evidence to support your claim. This might involve obtaining correspondence records between the parties involved, interviewing witnesses, and securing expert testimonies to prove the interference and its impact on your business.
- Negotiating Settlements: Depending on the circumstances, a lawyer could negotiate with the other party to reach a settlement outside of court. This approach can save time and resources by resolving the issue quickly and efficiently without the need for a lengthy trial.
- Representing You in Court: Should your case go to trial, a tortious interference lawyer can represent you in court, presenting your case clearly and persuasively to achieve a favorable outcome. They will argue on your behalf, challenge any opposing evidence, and work diligently to deliver fair results.
- Providing Legal Advice: Throughout the legal process, your lawyer will offer valuable guidance about what steps you can take to protect yourself. They will guide you on legal strategies, explain the complexities of the law, and support you in making informed decisions about your case.
Contact a Tortious Interference Attorney Now
Are you ready to take action against someone who’s interfered with your business? Protect your business’s future by getting the support you need. Contact Levy Goldenberg LLP today for an initial consultation. We’re here to listen to your situation, offer legal advice, and help you fight back.