Promissory Estoppel Explained
For thousands of Americans, finding a good quality job that utilizes their professional knowledge for a decent pay can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Many qualified individuals will need to leave their home and settle down in a new area in order to obtain a high-paying position.
So you start the search, interview for positions, and accept a job offer states away. Packing up and moving your entire life is no easy feat, but if the price is right, who can refuse?
The job can. Shortly before you’re due to start, the company calls and informs you that the position is no longer available. You’re left miles away from your support system on the job hunt again in an entirely new location, with no legally binding contract.
Do you have any legal recourse in this situation, despite a lack of contract? Possibly.
The Injustice Of A Broken Promise
Not everything is written out in a formal contract, which means that an individual must rely on the other person’s promise. Promissory estoppel is a legal term designed to protect a person from suffering financial losses due to a broken commitment.
These are the essential pieces needed to establish a promissory estoppel claim:
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A promise is made between two parties.
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The person making the promise has reason to believe that the other party will accept.
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The party who relied on the promise followed through and is now suffering financial harm.
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The only means to avoid injustice would be to enforce the promise.
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In Arkansas, you’re going to want to gather proof and discuss your options with a local attorney. Promissory estoppel lawsuits need more evidence than “he said, she said” claims. To have your best chance to recover losses, you’ll need a high-quality legal team by your side.
Trouble Moving Cross-Country?
Back to the problem at hand, you’ve picked up and moved, but the job fell through. Your savings are dwindling and the job market is tough…after all, you picked up and moved for the chance at a better position. Most people don’t have the available funds to do that twice.
Take a look at the first three pieces of a promissory estoppel claim (the fourth question is meant for the judge and jury). If these apply to you, consult with a lawyer about your next steps. You’ll want legal guidance as you collect evidence and strengthen your case.
The moving scenario is the most common among promissory estoppel cases, which means plaintiffs have a fair chance at recovering their financial losses. Take for instance, a historical Wisconsin case where a man expressed interest in owning a franchised grocery store. The company kept changing goal posts and the man was left with nothing but a broken promise until the court ruled in his favor.
Explore Promissory Estoppel Claims In Arkansas With Hickey & Hull
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Things are about to get better when you have Hickey & Hull Law Offices for your legal representation!