- 18 - claim were received on account of personal injuries within the meaning of section 104(a)(2). Accordingly, we sustain respondent’s determination on this issue. 3. Petitioner’s Compensatory Damages for Interference With a Business Relationship Tortious interference with a business relationship is part of a larger body of tort law aimed at protecting relationships, some economic (for example, interference with prospective economic advantage) and some personal (for example, interference with family relations, or libel and slander). Keeton et al., Prosser & Keeton on Torts, sec. 129, at 978 and nn.5 and 6 (5th ed. 1984). Under Florida law, tortious interference with a business relationship is “basically the same cause of action” as interference with a contract. Smith v. Ocean State Bank, 335 So. 2d 641, 642 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1976). Petitioner’s claim of tortious interference with a business relationship required proof of each of the following three elements: (1) The existence of a business relationship under which the plaintiff has legal rights; (2) an intentional and unjustified interference with the relationship by the defendant; and (3) damage to the plaintiff as a result of the tortious interference with the relationship. Gregg v. U.S. Indus., Inc., 887 F.2d 1462, 1473 (11th Cir. 1989). Petitioner’s complaint in the third jury trial focused almost entirely on the economic injury petitioner suffered as a consequence of USI’s interference with his business relationshipPage: Previous 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011