Businesses rely on contracts to outline expectations and ensure that all parties fulfill their duties. These contracts can be either written or oral agreements. Unfortunately,
contract disputes arise from time to time. The other side might refuse to adhere to the contract, forcing you to pursue litigation. Also, the other party might accuse you of
breach of contract, even if their claim is baseless. PJI Law can help you settle contract disputes in Northern Virginia, and if that fails, help you pursue court action. Our
seasoned legal team helps both individuals and businesses and can represent you in your case.
Our contract dispute attorneys have helped people and businesses settle disagreements both inside and outside of the courtroom. Contact us today to discuss your
case so we can formulate a legal strategy.
Establishing Breach of Contract
There are typically three components involved in successful breach of contract claims. You must have:
- Proof that the other party breached the agreement
- A legally enforceable contract
- Evidence that you suffered damages as a result of the breach of contract
Possible Damages in Breach of Contract Cases
If you sue another party for breach of contract, you can pursue damages. You might be eligible to collect compensatory and consequential damages if you lost money due to a breach
of contract. If you have a liquidated damages clause in the contract, you may also be able to recover compensation that way. This clause goes into effect if you cannot define the
actual losses you suffered due to the breach of contract. Some people think they can collect liquidated damages without going to court as long as the clause is in effect. However,
you have to prove that the other party breached the contract and jump other hurdles to collect the damages.
You can also pursue equitable relief for your claim. Often, this comes in the form of the judge ordering the defendant to uphold the contract. Equitable relief is granted when
compensation is not enough to fix the issue.
Defenses in Breach of Contract Disputes
Breach of contract cases are relatively complicated, in part because of the numerous defense options. The other party might state that the claimant was the first to breach the
contract. The defendant can also state that the other party abandoned the right to enforce the document by waiving the breach.
Also, the defendant can claim that the contract wasn’t legally valid, or the plaintiff committed fraud. It’s even possible to argue that the plaintiff took advantage of the defendant
when creating the contract. Your contract dispute attorney can present evidence to either support your defense or refute the defense’s claim.
