In an increasingly competitive business landscape, it is becoming more and more important to nurture professional relationships. Unfortunately, not all individuals or entities see the importance of maintaining good relations – in fact, many seek to harm them with the goal of causing financial loss and other damage. Even those who used to work for a business may damage companies by stealing trade secrets or breaking confidentiality agreements.
Tortious interference claims arise from a person or business’ interference with another’s business relationships for their own benefit or to cause harm to the business being interfered with. There are various ways in which tortious interference can occur, but here are some examples:
- A vendor offering unreasonably low prices to a buyer can result in the buyer breaching a contract with another business. This is known as “predatory pricing” and is a common form of tortious interference in the business world
- A former employee uses commercially sensitive information to compete against you and/or interfere with your contractual or business relationships
- A third-party making threats or coercive demands to a business or another party in order to gain an advantage in a contractual or business relationship
- Refusing to perform a duty or obligation, such as delivering goods, can also be an act of tortious interference. This can impair the plaintiff’s ability to meet its contractual obligation and cause financial loss
These are just a handful of tortious interference examples. Tortious interference can have significant financial consequences for businesses, including lost profits and damage to reputation.
Understanding the Two Types of Business Relationships Vulnerable to Tortious Interference in Florida
In the state of Florida, two types of business relationships can be vulnerable to a tortious interference claim. These are Contractual Business Relationships and Advantageous Business Relationships.
Contractual business relationships refer to situations where there is an enforceable contract between two parties. If a third party interferes with such a contract, by inducing one party to breach the terms of the contract or by disrupting the contract in some way, it may be considered tortious interference.
On the other hand, an advantageous business relationship is not necessarily defined by a contract, but it still brings value to a business. Examples of such relationships include customer relationships, referral sources, or strategic alliances. If a third party intentionally disrupts or interferes with these relationships without justification, it may also be considered tortious interference.
In either case, the affected businesses may seek damages from the interfering party.
Seek Counsel from an Experienced Business Attorney
Businesses in Florida should be aware of the two types of business relationships recognized in tortious interference cases and take steps to protect themselves. If you believe your business is a victim of tortious interference, it is advisable to seek the guidance of an experienced attorney who specializes in complex business litigation. A skilled attorney can assess the circumstances of the interference and advise you on the best course of action to protect your business interests. At TCLG, we specialize in complex business litigation and have experience litigating cases involving elements of tortious interference. Our firm can help you assess whether you have a valid tortious interference claim and what you may be able to recover.
