Contracts are important to many Pennsylvania businesses. They are the basis for almost every business-related relationship, whether it is between two companies or an individual and a company. When someone interferes with your agreement with another person or business, you may have grounds to sue over tortious interference with a contract.
What does tortious interference with contract mean?
Tortious interference with a contract is a kind of tort that happens when someone intentionally damages – or makes an imminent threat to damage – the agreement between two other parties. The important thing in this situation is not just the fact that there was some type of interference, but also what caused it and how significant it ended up being to the original relationship. If someone encourages a company to break their contract with another company, this is an example of tortious interference.
When can I sue?
There are three main requirements that you need to be able to prove to successfully file a suit against someone who has committed tortious interference with a contract. First, you need to have a valid contract in place that the other party has some legal obligation to adhere to. Second, they must have intentionally interfered or threatened intentional interference with this agreement through unlawful means. Third, there needs to be evidence of damage done as a result of this action on their part.
What are some examples of tortious interference?
There are many different ways in which someone can interfere with (or threaten to interfere with) another party’s contractual agreement. Some common examples include pressuring one party to break their contract with another party, promising one of the parties a benefit if they breach their agreement, or threatening to take legal action as a way to get someone to stop working under the terms of an existing contract. For instance, if someone were to threaten legal action to get you (or your business) not to honor a contract that you agreed upon, this could easily be tortious interference.
If an individual or an organization wrongs you through tortious interference with a contract, you need to understand your legal options to increase your chances of getting the most desirable outcome. As you make your case, however, it’s also critical that you have specific evidence about what happened, the parties involved, and the ultimate impact of this interference on your contract.