Many individuals rely on their businesses, and related efforts, for their livelihoods and ability to enjoy life as a result of their hard work and success. When a business relationship has been interfered with, it can have serious consequences for the business owner and others. At times, conduct in business can cross a line and individuals who have been harmed by such conduct may have legal remedies to consider. If you have heard of tortious interference, you may wonder what it refers to.
Tortious interference is what is commonly referred to in the law as a business tort. There are a number of different types of business torts that provide protections for business people conducting daily activities in their businesses and work. When a contract or business expectancy has been interfered with, with the intent to cause economic harm, and harm, in fact, results, a claim for tortious interference may exist and remedies may be available to the aggrieved party.
There are different types of tortious interference. Tortious interference can occur when a party interferes with another party’s contractual relationship with a third party. Providing the interfering party has acted with intent, they may be liable for the harm that results. In addition, provided that there is a valid contract or economic expectancy that has been interfered with, a party harmed by tortious interference may also have a claim for damages associated with tortious interference with pre-contractual relations.
For either type of tortious interference, certain elements must be present to prevail when making a claim for damages associated with tortious interference. Because of the significant economic harm that can be caused by tortious interference with contract relations or a contract or business expectancy, it is important that an aggrieved party is familiar with the legal options and protections available to them when harmed.
Source: Smallbusiness.findlaw.com, “Tortious Interference,” Accessed July 28, 2016