Tortious interference with a business relationship or contract is a type of legal claim that arises after one party intentionally damages or disrupts another party’s business relationship or contract with a third party. This type of behavior can result in an award of damages to the party who was negatively affected. If you or your business are a victim of tortious interference, please contact the Law Offices of William Kolb, LLC, for assistance.
Types of Tortious Interference
Most states recognize claims for tortious interference with a contract and tortious interference with a business relationship. Although these claims are very similar, they have slightly different elements.
Proving Tortious Interference with a Contract
To succeed in a tortious interference with a contract claim, the following elements must be proven in most states:
- A business relationship existed under which the plaintiff has legal rights
- The defendant had knowledge of the business relationship
- The defendant intentionally interfered with the business relationship
- The plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the interference
Proving Tortious Interference with a Business Relationship
To succeed in a tortious interference with a business relationship, the following elements must be proven in most states:
- A business relationship existed between the plaintiff and a third party that afforded the plaintiff some legal right
- The defendant had knowledge of the business relationship
- The defendant intentionally interfered with the business relationship
- The defendant lacked legal justification to interfere with the business relationship
- The plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the interference
Defenses to Tortious Interference
Depending on the facts of the case, there may be several defenses available to the defendant, including:
No Intent: This defense is available if the defendant in a tortious interference case didn’t intentionally interfere with the plaintiff’s contract or business relationship.
No Harm: If the plaintiff in a tortious interference case can’t prove that the defendant’s actions caused harm to his or her business relationship or contract, then the plaintiff’s legal claim may fail.
Legal Justification: If the actions that led to a tortious interference lawsuit were legally justified, then this serves as a valid legal defense.
Privilege or Immunity: In certain circumstances, the actions taken by the defendant in a tortious interference lawsuit may be protected under the law due to privilege or immunity.
Legitimate Business Competition: Legal and fair competitive practices do not constitute tortious interference. So, if the defendant in a case can prove that his or her actions were legitimate, then the lawsuit is likely to fail.
Consent: If the plaintiff in a tortious interference lawsuit consented to or approved of the actions taken by the defendant, this can serve as an effective defense.
Tortious Interference Timeline
The time that it takes for a tortious interference case to resolve will greatly depend on the circumstances. These types of cases can range from a few months to several years, depending on multiple factors. Important factors affecting the timeline of a tortious interference lawsuit are the complexity of the case, the amount of evidence available, and the openness of the parties to settle out of court.
Contact a Providence Tortious Interference Attorney
If you require assistance with a tortious interference case in Providence, Rhode Island, our experienced attorney is here for you. At the Law Offices of William Kolb, LLC, we have the experience and knowledge to assist you with your tortious interference case. When you come to us for help, experienced Providence tortious interference attorney William Kolb will diligently pursue a successful resolution of your situation. Please contact us to arrange a meeting with an experienced Providence tortious interference attorney.