Companies in Florida and elsewhere may be highly protective of business secrets, especially with a substantial level of competition in many fields of employment. Should an employee leave to work for a competitor, the previous employer could have concerns about the transference of information. Trade secret disputes can be complex matters that are hotly contested, some of which result in lawsuits against former employees.

Roehl Transport recently filed a lawsuit after two former workers left the company to work for a competitor. It claims that shortly before leaving, both employees forwarded company emails to their own accounts, which they say contained sensitive information pertaining to drivers and customers. It asserts that shortly after doing so, both men began working for Omni Specialized LLC.

The situation was further complicated due to a recent bankruptcy filing by Omni, but the two parties were reportedly able to reach a settlement. In this agreement, both of the previous employees are required to delete the emails in question, along with any other trade secrets that they took with them upon leaving. Many companies rely on state and federal laws to protect this area of business, as losing such information to competitors could have a devastating impact on operations.

When trade secret disputes arise, the complex nature of such matters could prompt a need for guidance before entering litigation. By speaking with an experienced attorney, a client in Florida could obtain advice on the best course of action with which to proceed. An attorney can thoroughly evaluate the situation and assist a client in pursuing the best possible outcome through whatever means necessary.

Source: marshfieldnewsherald.com, “Marshfield-based Roehl Transport settles trade secrets lawsuit“, Kevin Murphy, Sept. 2, 2017