Building a business takes years of hard work, trust and relationship building. But those years of hard work can sometimes crumble because of someone’s actions. When someone interferes with your business relationships or contracts, it can hurt your company long-term.
This harmful meddling has a legal name: tortious interference.
The basics of tortious interference
Tortious interference happens when a third party damages your business relationships or contracts on purpose. The interference must go beyond normal competition to count as tortious.
For a valid interference claim, you need to show:
- You have a valid business agreement or relationship
- The third party knew about your business relationship or contract
- They intentionally acted to disrupt your business
- Their actions led your business to experience actual harm, like a loss of profits
Kansas courts take these claims seriously, especially when the interference involves unfair tactics or bad intentions. Saving all communications and keeping records of any suspicious competitor activity provides important evidence for your case.
Common examples you might face
Tortious interference shows up in many business situations. Common real-life examples include:
- Offering your key employee much higher pay just to hurt your business
- Spreading lies about your company to your clients
- Pressuring your supplier to work for them instead
- Threatening a potential customer to stop them from working with you
- Bribing your business partner to end your relationship
These actions cross the line from fair competition into harmful territory. That’s because these actions are likely to damage your business reputation and finances.
Possible legal remedies to interference
If someone interferes with your business relationships, you have options. You can seek compensation for lost profits, damaged reputation and future losses. In some cases, courts may award extra money to punish particularly bad behavior.
A lawyer might also ask for a court order forcing the interfering party to stop their harmful actions right away.
Protect the business you built
Guarding your business relationships requires watchfulness and quick action when problems arise. Strong contracts with protection clauses create extra legal safety. If you think someone is interfering with your business, seek professional legal help.
Talking with an experienced business attorney is a great way to see your options to protect your business. Remember, your company’s relationships count as valuable business assets and are well worth protecting.