What recourse do I have if someone is slandering my name professionally?
Full Question:
Answer:
You may have a civil cause of action for tortious interference with a business relationship. The basic elements which establish a prima facie tortious interference with a business relationship are: a) the existence of a valid business relation or expectancy; b) knowledge of the relationship or expectancy on the part of the interferer; c) intentional and unjustified act of interference on the part of the interferer; d) proof that the interference caused the harm sustained; and e) damage to the party whose relationship or expectancy has been disrupted.
This tort can be committed by interferer inducing a third person not to enter into a prospective relation or preventing the other from acquiring or continuing such a relation. There must be an "improper" interference for the cause of action to lie. A plaintiff may properly bring a cause of action alleging tortious interference with present or prospective customers, but no cause of action exists for tortious interference with a business's relationship to the community at large. A protected business relationship need not be evidenced by an enforceable contract, but the alleged business relationship must afford the plaintiff existing or prospective legal or contractual rights.
