Business Torts

The law recognizes a wide variety of business torts which may arise under a number of circumstances, such as during the sale or acquisition of a business, when one business unlawfully interferes with a contract or relationship, or when a former employee steals proprietary and confidential trade secrets.

Liability for business torts can be severe; some circumstances involve not only significant financial exposure, but oftentimes, injunctive relief. Oftentimes, these disputes are hotly contested and factually-intensive matters, the outcome of which could make—or break—a business.

Commonly recognized business torts include:

• Negligent misrepresentation
• Tortious interference with business relations
• Tortious interference with prospective business relations
• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Theft of trade secrets
• Common law fraud
• Tortious interference with contracts
• Violations of covenants not to compete
• Shareholder oppression

These claims are usually accompanied by demands for injunctive relief, such as a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction. This occurs at an accelerated pace and requires immediate, strategic, and tactical analysis from a litigation lawyer.

Additional Business Torts Information