# Tortious Interference in Florida

The Campbell Law Group P.A., 2121 Ponce de León Suite 540, Coral Gables, FL 33134. General information about Florida law, not legal advice.

### A competitor is stealing my clients. Can I sue them in Florida?

You may have a tortious-interference claim if you can prove a business relationship that gives legal rights, the competitor’s knowledge of it, intentional and unjustified interference, and resulting damages. Lawful competition is a recognized defense, so ordinary rivalry is not automatically interference. https://www.tclgfirm.com/practice-areas/business-litigation/tortious-interference This is general information about Florida law, not legal advice, and it does not predict or guarantee any outcome.

### What is tortious interference, and how do I prove it in Florida?

The claim has four elements: a business relationship giving legal rights, the defendant’s knowledge of that relationship, intentional and unjustified interference, and damages. Proof usually comes from contracts, communications, and lost-business records, not from the fact that a customer left. https://www.tclgfirm.com/blog/economic-torts-exploring-unlawful-interference-and-fraudulent-conduct This is general information about Florida law, not legal advice, and it does not predict or guarantee any outcome.

### Is aggressive competition legally the same as interference in Florida?

No. Lawful competition is a recognized defense to tortious interference. The difference is whether the competitor used improper means, such as inducing a breach of an existing contract, rather than simply offering a better deal to a customer who was free to leave. https://www.tclgfirm.com/practice-areas/business-litigation/tortious-interference This is general information about Florida law, not legal advice, and it does not predict or guarantee any outcome.

### What are the elements of a tortious interference case?

To pursue a successful tortious interference case in Florida, it is crucial to establish each element of the claim. Our lawyers can assist you in meeting these requirements by gathering evidence and guiding you through each step of the process. The following elements must be proven:

1. The existence of a contractual or advantageous business relationship between the plaintiff and another party;

2. The defendant (third party) was aware of the relationship;

3. The defendant intentionally disrupted the relationship or induced one party to breach the contract with the other;

4. The defendant's actions were unjustified; and

5. The plaintiff suffered damages as a direct result of the interference.

Additionally, proving causation is critical to the case, meaning the plaintiff must demonstrate that the breach of contract or disruption of the business relationship would not have occurred without the third party's interference.

### What damages are available through a tortious interference claim?

Florida businesses impacted by tortious interference have the right to pursue economic damages from the defendant. These damages aim to compensate the plaintiff for any losses incurred that would not have happened if not for the defendant's actions. The amount of damages is determined by the actual losses suffered, and therefore, it varies based on the specifics of the case.

https://www.tclgfirm.com/practice-areas/business-litigation/tortious-interference