Virginia Business Lawyers
In simplest terms, if you’ve been faced with a situation wherein a broken business promise has cost you, you may be dealing with a breach of contract. How can you know for sure, and thereby pursue the right course of legal action? The best way is to first consult with a breach of contract attorney whose experience can sort out the most reasonable next steps.
At MartinWren Law, we’ve dealt with numerous cases of breach of contract, and can serve you with yours. To schedule a consultation and discuss the details of your unique case, give us a call at (434) 817-3100.
To better prepare you to speak with an attorney, we’ve compiled the following tips and frequently asked questions for you to explore. This information is often a great help to our business owner clients dealing with a contract breach.
What is a breach of contract?
The most straightforward definition of breach of contract is a broken agreement based in one party’s failure to fulfill his or her terms of a contract. The breaching party will have done so without a lawful or justifiable excuse. For example, if a coworker or employee at your business refuses to finish his or her portion of a job, and it results in a loss for you, that could be considered a breach of contract.
In order for you and your attorney to establish that there was a breach of contract, there must be evidence that:
- A contract existed;
- The terms of the contract were broken;
- As a result, you lost money; and
- The other party was responsible.
How can a breach of contract adversely affect my small business?
There are quite a few ways a breach of contract can be negative for you and your small business. Most notably, they’re a waste of your time, and can lead to a loss of profit or income for you. They can also lead to broken work relationships and lead to frustrating, difficult reorganizations of your employee or coworker situation.
To deal with these different adverse effects, it’s important to talk with an attorney about what kind of breach of contract you’re facing, and what you need to do accordingly.
What are the different kinds of breaches of contract?
A breach of contract tends to fall into one of two categories: material or minor. The obligations and remedies of both parties are what determine which category the breach falls into.
- A material breach of contract is when one of the parties to the contract does not perform his or her duties as outlined. It allows the other (injured) party to thereby seek damages in court.
- A minor breach of contract is what is considered a partial breach. That is to say, though the breaching party did deliver the main service as outlined in the contract, he or she failed to fully perform some aspect of the agreement. In this situation, the non-breaching party may potentially still seek damages.
Let Us Serve Your Business
Do you have additional questions about breach of contract, or believe you may have such a case? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the attorneys of MartinWren Law. We’re well-versed in the needs of small business owners, and can help you put together a case if someone has broken a business agreement. To schedule your consultation, give us a call at (434) 817-3100.