Tortious Interference with Business in Florida
FL tortious interference with business: disrupting prospective relationships. No formal contract needed. Elements (Ethan Allen v. Georgetown Manor): relationship/expectancy, knowledge, intentional + unjustified conduct, disruption, and damages. Unjustified: independently wrongful, malicious, or socially harmful. Justified: legitimate competition, legal rights, good faith. vs. competition: means matter, not result. Cannot: threats, fraud, defamation, or trade secret theft.
Elements
- Relationship or expectancy
- Knowledge, intentional conduct
- Unjustified, damages
Justified vs. Unjustified
- Competition: protected
- Improper means: tortious
- Means matter, not result
Prohibited Conduct
- Threats, fraud, defamation
- Trade secret theft
- Inducing breach
Related Terms
- Tortious Interference — Overview
Barnes Walker Business Law
Barnes Walker’s attorneys handle FL business interference claims. Request a legal inquiry for assistance.
Florida Law Reference
Fla. Stat. Ch. 768
Governs negligence claims in Florida, including the modified comparative fault standard (effective March 2023) that bars recovery if the plaintiff is more than 50% at fault.
Reviewed by the attorneys at Barnes Walker, Goethe, Shea & Robinson, PLLC