Billy Bob had a great job handling the lion show for Wild Events Circus.Billy Bob had a written contract with Wild Events for three years.The contract was in year two,and Billy Bob was fully performing his obligations under the contract.Wild Sam,who was well known as a lion handler,really wanted Billy Bob's job.Wild Sam told the circus that he could do a better job than Billy Bob with the lions and that there would be more attendance at the shows because of his reputation.The circus breached its contract with Billy Bob and hired Wild Sam.Billy Bob is mad and sues Wild Sam for intentional interference with a contract.What would be the most likely result?
A) Wild Sam would be held liable to Billy Bob.
B) Wild Sam would not be held liable to Billy Bob because Wild Events Circus, the employer, would be the only defendant who could be held liable to Wild Sam.
C) Wild Sam would not be held liable to Billy Bob, because the job of lion handler is not a professional job which is required for the action of intentional interference with a contract.
D) Wild Sam could be held liable to Billy Bob for punitive damages, but not for compensatory damages.
E) Wild Sam would be held liable to Billy Bob, but only if Billy Bob can show that he was a better lion handler than Wild Sam.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Wild Sam could be held liable to Billy Bob for intentional interference with a contract, as he intentionally induced Wild Events Circus to breach its contract with Billy Bob by making false representations about his own abilities and the potential attendance at the shows. Wild Sam's personal liability would not be excluded simply because the employer could also be held liable under the same cause of action. Whether the job of lion handler is a professional job or not is irrelevant to the issue of intentional interference with a contract. Billy Bob would be entitled to compensatory damages for his lost wages and any other damages arising from the breach of contract. Punitive damages would require a showing of malice, which may be difficult to prove in this case. The comparative level of skill between Billy Bob and Wild Sam is also not relevant to the issue of intentional interference with a contract.

Billy Bob Had a Great Job Handling the Lion Show