When a business deal falls apart because someone didn’t hold up their end of the bargain, you’re probably dealing with a breach of contract. These disputes pop up constantly in Maryland’s commercial world, from failed vendor agreements to broken partnership promises. Understanding how these claims actually work in Maryland courts can make the difference between recovering your losses and walking away empty-handed.
What Makes A Valid Contract In Maryland
Before you can prove someone broke a contract, you need to show a valid contract existed in the first place. Maryland courts look for four basic elements:
- An offer was made
- The other party accepted that offer
- Both sides exchanged something of value (consideration)
- Both parties intended to create a legally binding agreement
That last point matters more than people think. A casual conversation about maybe working together someday won’t cut it. Maryland courts want to see that both parties seriously meant to be bound by their promises.
Proving A Breach Actually Happened
Once you’ve established that a valid contract existed, you need to prove the other party failed to perform their obligations. This sounds straightforward, but it gets tricky fast. You’ll need to show exactly what the contract required, how the other party fell short, and that you held up your end of the deal. Documentation becomes everything here. Emails, invoices, delivery records, and payment histories all help paint the picture. If your contract was verbal (which Maryland law allows in many situations), you’re facing an uphill battle without some kind of written evidence backing up your version of events. The timing of the breach matters too. Maryland distinguishes between minor breaches and material breaches. A minor breach might just entitle you to damages for that specific failure. A material breach goes to the heart of the agreement and might let you walk away from the entire contract while still pursuing compensation.
Common Defenses You’ll Face
Don’t expect the other side to roll over just because you’ve got a contract with their signature on it. A Silver Spring Business Litigation Lawyer knows that several defenses can derail breach of contract claims. Impossibility or impracticability is one defense that’s gained attention lately. If performing the contract became literally impossible or commercially impracticable through no fault of either party, Maryland courts might let the breaching party off the hook. This doesn’t mean the contract just got harder or less profitable. It means something fundamentally changed that made performance impossible. Fraud, duress, or lack of capacity can also void a contract entirely. If someone was tricked into signing, forced under threat, or wasn’t mentally competent to contract, Maryland courts won’t enforce the agreement.
What You Can Actually Recover
Maryland courts typically award compensatory damages designed to put you in the position you would’ve been in if the contract had been performed. This might include direct losses and consequential damages that were reasonably foreseeable when you signed the deal. A Silver Spring Business Litigation Lawyer can help you understand which damages apply to your specific situation and how to properly calculate your losses.
Specific performance is another remedy, though Maryland courts use it sparingly. This forces the breaching party to actually do what they promised. Courts typically reserve this for unique situations where money can’t adequately compensate you, like real estate transactions or one-of-a-kind goods. Punitive damages almost never come into play in simple breach of contract cases. Maryland reserves those for situations involving fraud or other intentional wrongdoing beyond just breaking a promise.
Getting Legal Representation
Contract disputes involve layers of Maryland case law, statutory interpretation, and procedural requirements that aren’t always intuitive. Whether you’re the party claiming breach or defending against accusations, getting experienced legal guidance early often determines how these disputes ultimately resolve. The team at Eric Siegel Law handles breach of contract matters for Maryland businesses, from pre-litigation negotiation through trial if necessary. Legal counsel can evaluate whether you’ve got a viable claim, identify potential defenses you’ll face, and determine the best strategic approach for your situation. Strong legal representation helps protect your business interests and maximizes your chances of a favorable outcome in Maryland’s courts.