Opinion ID: 2091909
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Elements of a Tortious Interference Claim

Text: [¶ 31] Tortious interference with a prospective economic advantage requires a plaintiff to prove: (1) that a valid contract or prospective economic advantage existed; (2) that the defendant interfered with that contract or advantage through fraud or intimidation; and (3) that such interference proximately caused damages. Rutland v. Mullen, 2002 ME 98, ¶ 13, 798 A.2d 1104, 1110. In Pombriant v. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Maine, 562 A.2d 656 (Me.1989), we held that intimidation is not restricted to `frightening a person for coercive purposes,' but rather exists wherever a defendant has procured a breach of contract by making it clear to the party with which the plaintiff had contracted that the only manner in which that party could avail itself of a particular benefit of working with defendant would be to breach its contract with plaintiff. Id. at 659.