Breach of Contract Attorney

Contracts establish terms and conditions, set expectations, and protect the parties involved. Unfortunately, contractual disputes occur when one party fails to uphold their part of the agreement. Ledingham Law can help you navigate the complex legal issues that arise when contract terms are breached.

Whether you are the non-breaching party or you are being accused of breaching a contract, our team is here to provide you with the best possible representation. Contact Ledingham Law at (240)673-6869 to protect your interests and seek the best possible outcome for your case.

What is a Breach of Contract in Maryland?

A breach of contract occurs when one person in a contractual agreement does not fulfill their obligations without a legally valid excuse.

To prove a contract breach, the Plaintiff must prove the four elements:

• A legally binding contract exists
• The non-breaching party performed its obligations
• The breaching party failed to perform its obligations
• The non-breaching party suffered some harm or loss

Businesses should approach contracts with caution, ensuring that all terms are clearly outlined and understood by both parties. In the event of a breach, swift action must be taken to address the situation and prevent further damage.

Common Types of Contract Disputes

Contract disputes can arise in various situations, leading to conflicts between parties. Some common types of contract disputes include:

• Services: Service contracts encompass the responsibilities of the service provider and the payment schedule. Disputes can arise from quality issues, nonpayment, and delays.
• Buy-Sell Agreement: A buy-sell agreement is a legal agreement that provides for the sale of a business interest. Disputes often arise during the allocation of profits and deciding who will control the business.
• Employment: Employment contract disputes involve an employee who was terminated early for improper reasons or is owed money. Additionally, non-competition provisions can lead to a dispute.
• Real Estate: During a real estate transaction, a buyer and seller agree to certain conditions toward proceeding with the deal. When one side pulls out of the deal, the aggrieved party generally has the option to sue to collect damages.

Consequences of Breach

If you believe that a breach of contract has occurred, it is important to seek legal remedies to protect your interests. Depending on the nature of the breach and the terms outlined in the contract, there are various remedies for breach that may be available to you, including:

• Damages: The non-breaching party may be entitled to damages for breach to compensate for any losses suffered as a result of the breach.
  • Compensatory damages are direct damages intended to “make the plaintiff whole”. They may include consequential damages, which provide monetary damages for any indirect financial losses due to the breach.
  • Punitive damages are awarded separately from the actual damages in relation to the breach of contract. They are awarded only when the breaching party acted with malicious intent or gross negligence.
• Specific Performance: In some cases, a court may order the breaching party to fulfill their obligations as outlined in the contract.
• Rescission: Rescission involves canceling the contract and returning both parties to their pre-contractual positions.
• Injunctive Relief: Injunctive relief may be granted by a court to prevent the breaching party from taking certain actions that would further harm the non-breaching party.
• Restitution The goal is to force the breaching party to forfeit their ill-gotten gains.
• Attorney’s Fee and Costs: Depending on the breach of contract case, Ledingham Law may be able to recover the attorney fees spent on litigation.