As a Kentucky business owner, you need to protect your company from others who try to harm it. One way someone can hurt your business is through tortious interference—which you can sue them for.
What is tortious interference?
Tortious interference happens when another person or company deliberately disrupts your business relationships. For example:
- A competitor convinces your exclusive business partner to break their contract and work with them instead.
- Someone spreading false information about your company online to stop suppliers from working with you.
Think of it as someone unfairly getting in the middle of your business deals and sabotaging your contracts to benefit themselves.
How to know if you can sue for tortious interference
Not every business disruption counts as tortious interference. Here are five key things you need for a valid claim:
- You have a valid business relationship: Provide either a written contract or a clear understanding that you will do business together. This could be an existing partnership or even serious talks about working together.
- The other party knew about your business relationship: You must prove they knew about your contract or business arrangement before they interfered.
- The other party meant to interfere: Show that they deliberately tried to disrupt your business relationship–that this wasn’t just an accident or an honest mistake.
- The interfering party did something wrong: Prove that they acted unfairly or inappropriately, knowing their actions would hurt your business relationships.
- Your business lost money or opportunities: You need evidence of how your competitor’s actions caused your company to lose profits or business chances.
These five points help establish a strong case that someone purposefully interfered with your business relationships.
Protect your business against sabotage
If you think someone is illegally interfering with your business relationships, don’t wait to take action. Take steps to hold the responsible party for the damage they caused.
While these cases can be tricky to prove, especially if you don’t have a written contract, you still have options. Talk to a business lawyer who knows Kentucky laws. They can help you understand your rights and guide you through the steps to protect your company.