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Tortious Interference With An Advantageous Business Relationship

Business and Commercial Torts : Tortious Interference With An Advantageous Business Relationship

Florida law recognizes a separate and independent tort for tortious interference with advantageous business relationships.  To state a claim for tortious interference with advantageous business relationships, a plaintiff must prove the following elements with the expertise of a qualified West Palm Beach business lawyer specializing in tortious interference of an advantageous business relationship:

  • The existence of a business relationship between the plaintiff and a third party;

    The defendant's knowledge of that relationship;

    The defendant's intentional and unjustified interference with the relationship; and

    Consequent damage to the plaintiff.

     

    Although malice is absent from the elements that a plaintiff must prove in order to show tortious interference with a business relationship, the plaintiff nonetheless must prove that the defendant's conduct caused or induced the breach that resulted in the plaintiff's injuries and damages.

    The cause of action of tortious interference with a contract and the cause of action for tortious interference with advantageous business relationship are basically the same cause of action; the only material difference is that in the first action there is a contract and in the second action there is only a business relationship. Therefore, in a cause of action for intentional interference with an advantageous business relationship, no enforceable contract is needed. However, the business relationship must be one under which the plaintiff has legal rights. Additionally, an actionable business relationship requires, an understanding between the parties that would have been completed had the defendant not interfered with the relationship.

    A West Palm Beach business lawyer will use his or her expertise to identify the required elements of an action for tortious interference. To establish the tort of interference with a business relationship, the plaintiff must prove a business relationship with identifiable customers. Therefore, to establish an action for tortious interference with a business relationship, a plaintiff may allege interference with a present or prospective customer, but no action exists for tortious interference with a past customer or to the community at large. Additionally, a mere speculative hope of a future business is not sufficient to sustain the tort of interference with a business relationship.

    A cause of action for tortious interference with advantageous business relationship may have many complex issues. Therefore, you should consult with an experienced West Palm Beach business lawyer. Call Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. at 1-800-74-TRIAL.

     

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