Elements of a tortious interference case

On Behalf of | May 28, 2018 | Business Torts |

Your contract with your supplier is the lifeblood of your business, as it allows you to offer discounts that draw in your customers. At the Cortez Law Firm, PLLC, we understand that those who interfere with business contracts can cause serious damage to companies, and we often provide legal counsel regarding tortious interference.

A tort is a wrongful act committed against your business. FindLaw explains that simply interfering with your company’s success is not enough to constitute tortious interference. For example, say another business owner interfered and caused a breach of the contract between you and your supplier. Here is what you will need to prove in order to win a lawsuit:

  • You have a valid contract with the supplier. 
  • The business owner purposefully damaged your contractual relationship with your supplier. This includes having evidence that he or she knew about your contract.
  • It was the business owner’s action that caused the interference, and not some other issue on the part of the supplier.
  • The intentional interference was unethical, illegal or otherwise inappropriate, such as blackmail, force or inducement.
  • You suffered damages. Simply losing the contract is not enough. The supplier’s failure to meet the terms of your contract must have affected your business negatively.

Winning a tortious interference claim without clear-cut evidence of wrongdoing may be impossible, so it is important to be able to identify the defendant’s motives, interests and relationship with your supplier, among other factors. More information about illegal ways that people can cause harm to a business is available on our webpage.