Long Island Breach of Contract Lawyers
Generally, a contract is an agreement wherein the parties bind themselves to do, or not to do, a particular thing. As a general rule, a party that executes a contract is conclusively bound by its terms. Once a contract is made, only in unusual circumstances will a party be relieved of the duty of abiding by it. Absent fraud or other wrongful acts of the other contracting party, a party will usually be bound by the contract’s terms. Indeed, consistent with the mandate that New York remains a stronghold for the resolution of business disputes, the stability of contract obligations will not be undermined by judicial sympathy for a party. If either party in the agreement breaks or goes against the terms that are set, that is considered a breach of contract.
Why Contracts Are So Important
You may have heard the phrase “sanctity of contract” concerning contractual obligations.
The concept of contract “sanctity” is premised upon the general perception that once parties duly enter into a contract, they must honor their obligations. A contract not only has significance to business transactions involving New York residents or companies, but it has been characterized as a “lingua franca” (loosely translated as a common language among those speaking different languages) in the global economy. As one leading commentator has observed “New York’s recognized interest in maintaining and fostering its undisputed status as the preeminent commercial and financial nerve center of the Nation and the world” mandates a judiciary “which dispassionately administers a known, stable, and commercially sophisticated body of law may be considered as much as an attraction to conducting business in New York as its unique financial and communications resources.”
Types of Breach of Contract Claims
Our breach of contract lawyers have years of experience litigating many types of contractual disputes in and around Long Island, including:
- real estate;
- construction;
- purchase orders;
- sale of businesses;
- guaranty agreements;
- buy/sell agreements;
- employment;
- non-compete agreements;
- indemnification;
- security agreements; and
- settlement agreements.
Contractual Clarity & Certainty Is Paramount
Where contractual rights are at issue, New York courts will seek further clarity, predictability, and stability in line with other common law precedents.
How We Determine Your Contractual Rights & Remedies
A party asserting a breach of contract claim has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that a good and valid contract having legal inception is binding upon the defendant. In traditional terms, the elements of a contract that the party must establish are an offer, acceptance, and consideration.
In approaching a potential breach of contract claim, our Long Island-based lawyers will analyze many facets of the claim, including but not limited to:
- the nature of the subject matter of the dispute;
- whether a contract was entered into, and the documents constituting or evidencing the alleged contract;
- the specific contract provisions allegedly violated;
- whether the contract is oral or written;
- whether any fiduciary relationship exists;
- whether payment or performance has occurred and what obligations remain;
- the rights and duties of the parties;
- the nature and extent of damages;
- the various relief sought by or against the client such as monetary damages, injunctive relief, specific
- performance or rescission;
- dispute resolution provisions;
- any choice of forum clause; and
- any choice of law provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Contract Disputes
Q: Can I sue for breach of contract if there is no written agreement?
A: Yes, you can sue for breach of an oral contract in New York, provided the statute of frauds does not require it to be in writing (such as real estate sales or contracts taking longer than a year to perform). However, oral contracts are significantly harder to prove than written ones.
Q: What is the statute of limitations for breach of contract in New York?
A: Generally, the statute of limitations for breach of contract claims in New York is six years from the date of the breach. It is crucial to file your claim within this window, or you may lose your right to seek damages.
Q: What damages can I recover in a breach of contract lawsuit?
A: Remedies typically include compensatory damages (money to cover losses), specific performance (forcing the other party to fulfill the contract), or liquidated damages if specified in the agreement. Punitive damages are rarely awarded in standard contract disputes.
Long Island Breach of Contract Lawyers
If you believe you are facing a breach of contract dispute in or around Long Island, NY, please contact our lawyers for a free consultation.
