In legal proceedings involving non-compete agreements in Connecticut, a plaintiff may request relief from the court in two primary forms: legal and equitable. Legal relief often translates into monetary compensation, which is typically awarded as damages. On the other hand, equitable relief generally refers to court-ordered actions that require individuals or parties to either perform specific acts or abstain from certain activities. In the context of restrictive covenants, employers frequently pursue equitable relief to ensure the enforcement of agreement terms and to prevent former employees from engaging in prohibited activities.
For cases concerning the alleged breach of a non-compete agreement, equitable relief is often seen as the more favorable option because the harm claimed by the employer is considered irreparable and not easily quantifiable in financial terms. This form of relief serves to prevent further violations of the agreement, addressing both past breaches and potential future ones.
Equitable vs. Legal Relief
While equitable relief is the standard approach in non-compete agreement cases, Connecticut courts have occasionally supplemented it with monetary damages. A noteworthy example is the case of National Truck Emergency Road Service, Inc. v. Peloquin, where the court mandated the return of documents improperly used in competition, accompanied by a damage award for the employer related to the non-compete violation.
In another instance, a court chose to award damages exclusively due to the expiration of the non-compete agreement before litigation commenced. The court determined that the request for injunctive relief was no longer applicable, but allowed the plaintiff to pursue money damages. Evidence was presented to compute the lost profits resulting from the breach, leading the court to affirm the plaintiff's entitlement to damages associated with the non-compete violation.
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding your non-compete agreement, or wish to consult an attorney regarding a legal matter, please contact Joseph C. Maya and the attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. at (203) 221-3100 or Jmaya@mayalaw.com to arrange a free initial consultation.
