Has a competitor ever tried to sabotage your business relationships? For example, a rival company intentionally offered incentives to your suppliers to break their agreements with you. Doing so would cause significant financial harm to your operations and perhaps hurt your other business relationships.
This scenario describes tortious interference with contracts. Such actions aren’t just an act of bad faith. They are illegal and grounds for a lawsuit. Tortious interference is a legal claim that protects your business relationships from outside disruptions and meddling.
What makes a valid interference claim
To pursue a tortious interference claim, you need these four key elements:
- A valid contract existed between your business and another party
- The third party knew about this contract
- The third party deliberately interfered with this contract
- Your business suffered actual damages or harm as a result
These four points form the backbone of your case. Nevada courts take these claims seriously when you present clear evidence.
The burden of proof falls on you
Winning your case requires solid evidence, not just hunches or rumors. You need to show that the third party acted with bad intentions or used underhanded methods to disrupt your contract. This might include showing they used lies, threats, or violated industry standards.
Moreover, the burden falls on you to prove that the interference directly caused financial losses or other measurable harm to your business operations.
Legal remedies to protect business interests
If successful, your business can recover compensation for lost profits and additional costs from the interference. In serious cases, courts may award additional damages as punishment.
Your business might also get a court order stopping the third party from continuing their harmful actions. The help you receive depends on your situation and the extent of damage your business suffered.
Taking action to safeguard your contracts
Protecting your business relationships and contracts requires vigilance and prompt action. Failing to address tortious interference can lead to permanent damage to valuable partnerships and significant revenue loss.
If you think someone is undermining your contracts or business partnerships, it’s prudent to seek professional legal counsel. Quick legal action often stops further damage and saves your important business relationships before it’s too late.