What is Tortious Interference?

Your company relies on healthy, open contracts with other businesses. Whether you buy or sell a good or service from another company, having a contract ensures that you can rely on a steady stream of business. If a competitor tries to damage an agreement you have with a third party, you may have the right to sue them for tortious interference.

Tortious interference affects your ability to make a profit. Your competitor may use interference to try and drive you out of business. If this happens, you can file a lawsuit in New Jersey courts to prove tortious interference.

How Tortious Interference Works

Tortious interference happens when your competitor tries to break or damage an economic agreement or contract your business has with a third party. Your competitor may deny goods or services to the third party or try to blackmail them into breaking the contract.

This type of business tort also covers your competitor damaging the sale of your business. If your competitor tries to intentionally damage your ability to make money by interfering with contracts, they commit tortious interference.

Proving Intent in Tortious Interference

When you bring a tortious interference lawsuit to court, you must prove that your competitor intentionally interfered and caused an economic loss for you. Proving this can be difficult depending on how they interfered. For example, if your competitor took away a third-party customer by lowering prices, you must prove that they lowered prices below a reasonable market rate with the intent to hurt your business.

Proving tortious interference in court can be difficult. Consult with a business attorney before filing a lawsuit.

Preventing Unfair Competition

When another business affects your business’ ability to make money, you have the right to file a business tort lawsuit. A New Jersey court can make sure your competitor doesn’t use unfair tactics to shut your business down.

• Category: Business Litigation