Some people see contract dispute cases as a cost of doing business. The good news is that it does not have to be that way for your company.
When you negotiate and sign an agreement, you should be able to trust that the other party will hold up their side of the bargain. Far too often, your counterparty may have a different interpretation of the document you both just negotiated and signed, leading to disputes and eventual breaches of contract.
This article goes over some common Ohio contract disputes to look out for when negotiating. Our Ohio breach of contract lawyers can help you future-proof your agreements against common contract issues, as well as help you solve contractual disputes if and when they arise.
For prompt support, feel free to contact us at (419) 595-4544 or send us an online message right away. We provide complimentary consultations.
What Is a Contract Dispute?
If one party believes a breach of contract is imminent, then a contract dispute may ensue. A dispute may not mean that one party has actually breached the agreement. Rather, it means that the parties disagree about its terms, conditions, or how the agreement is being carried out.
Five Common Contract Dispute Examples
1. Non-Disclosure Agreement, Non-Compete Agreement, and Employment Agreement Disputes
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) protect a business’s sensitive information and trade secrets from public disclosure. Non-compete agreements protect companies from employees and vendors who might otherwise use the information gained by working at the company to later work with or for a competitor or to become a competitor themselves. These agreements are often signed as part of a broader employment agreement or during the employee onboarding process.
Occasionally, these restrictive covenants can be overly broad, which leads to contract disputes. Careful drafting can help avoid disputes over contract language. Another frequent source of Ohio contract disputes is when an employer suspects a current or former employee of breaching their employment agreement. A skilled attorney can help both prevent and resolve the matter.
2. Consumer Contract Disputes
Whether a customer purchases a hair dryer or a home improvement tool, a contract has been formed if the product comes with a warranty.
Product warranties are a contract between consumers and sellers or manufacturers, depending upon how the warranty is drafted. If a product is defective, consumers can sue for contract damages if they are harmed by a product that does not work according to its specifications.
3. Commercial Lease Disputes
Commercial lease contracts often need to cover many complex business concepts and provide the simple terms like how much space a business rents and how much the building owner is owed.
Disputes often arise over issues like breakpoints in commercial leases, tenant requests to modify space, unclear clauses, and notice of changes to terms and conditions. Sometimes, a party did not follow the contract’s terms; in other cases, a party did not understand them. When drafting commercial leases and handling commercial lease disputes, having a trusted attorney on your side can be critical to resolving issues quickly and effectively.
4. Partnership Agreement Disputes
Partnerships are a common form of business entity in Ohio. However, when one partner feels the other is not living up to its end of the partnership agreement, a contract dispute may ensue. A common cause of partnership contract disputes is poor drafting.
Partnership agreements must lay out expectations and requirements for each partner. When a partnership agreement fails to specify each partner’s obligations, it is both easy to have a contract dispute and difficult to prove an actual breach of contract.
5. Sales Contract Disputes
Sales of goods contracts are prone to disputes because contracts can be open-ended, fail to describe merchandise properly and take a long time to fulfill.
Even well-drafted sales contracts can be prone to dispute where market conditions change significantly between signature and delivery. Be sure to have a trusted attorney review your sales contracts, especially if you experience long lead times or purchase custom merchandise.
How Do You Avoid a Contractual Dispute in Ohio?
Well-written contracts can stop contract disputes before they begin. Of course, no one can predict when another party will take issue with contract language. However, working with an attorney to create clear, comprehensive agreements can help you avoid five of the most common Ohio contract disputes. Bensinger Legal Services can help.
Speak with a Trusted Attorney About Your Ohio Contract Disputes
At Bensinger Legal Services, our knowledgeable legal team takes a three-step approach to contract law. We know that creation, review, and enforcement are all essential parts of the process.
Aaron Bensinger, an Ohio attorney, leads our team of knowledgeable practitioners serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service his primary focus. Aaron works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
Learn how we can help you by calling us at (419) 595-4544 or sending us an online message.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
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