United States business law covers many aspects, from intellectual property to employee-employer contracts. Legislation regarding tortious interference aims to keep a level playing field in the fiercely competitive corporate world by punishing the unfair disruption of business relationships. Find out what is considered tortious interference and how U.S. business law protects you. 

What Constitutes Tortious Interference?

Say you own a food supply company, and you win a contract to stock a major chain of supermarkets with your goods. Another supplier, however, is determined to get the contract – and blackmails or threatens the person in charge of supply contracts at the supermarket chain so that you lose the job. 

This is one example of tortious interference. Another person has engaged in improper conduct and interfered with your contract, motivated by a desire to cause you financial harm. These laws apply even if agreements aren’t written and the business relationship was made informally – for instance via a handshake. 

What Kinds of Damages Can You Sue For?

To prove tortious interference, certain boxes need to be checked. First, a valid contract or expectation of economic gain must have existed between yourself and a third party – and the defendant, the person you are accusing of interference, must have known about this. Second, the defendant must have planned intentionally to interfere with this business contract or relationship and taken subsequently improper action. Finally, you must have suffered economic damages as a result of this interference.

If all these elements are met, you can sue for damages on the basis of tortious interference. This could include compensation for immediate economic interference as well as prospective economic loss. A business law professional can determine what you are eligible for depending on the circumstances.

When undertaking a tortious interference claim, you want knowledgeable legal guidance. With 35-plus years in the business law field, Kratovil Law Offices, PLLC of Charles Town, WV, has experience you can count on. Whatever you turn to these attorneys for, you can expect clear communication and honest insights. Get a full list of their practice areas, from DUI to personal injury law, online. For a free consultation, call (304) 728-7718.