¿Qué se considera incumplimiento del deber fiduciario?
Breach of fiduciary duty occurs when a person or entity in a position of trust (the fiduciary) fails to act in the best interests of another party (the principal). Given that fiduciary duty is the highest legal standard of care, any failure to uphold this responsibility can have severe consequences and monetary losses for those who have been entrusted with a fiduciary duty. Breach of fiduciary duty involves violating the fiduciary’s obligation to prioritize the principal’s interests over their own. Common examples include self-dealing, conflicts of interest, misappropriation of funds, and failure to disclose important information. Fiduciary relationships exist in various contexts, such as between trustees and beneficiaries, directors and shareholders, lawyers and clients, and guardians and wards. Stockbrokers and financial advisors often have fiduciary duties to their clients, requiring them to provide suitable investment advice and manage assets responsibly. What constitutes a breach of fiduciary duty? To prove that breach of fiduciary duty has occurred, the principal must typically demonstrate the existence of a fiduciary relationship, breach of fiduciary obligation, and resulting damages. Remedies may include monetary compensation or equitable relief. In the financial sector, breaches can lead to regulatory penalties and loss of professional licenses. See below for the detailed information you are looking for. Investment Losses? We Can Help The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., offers free consultations on breach of fiduciary duty cases. Give us a call at (800) 732-2889. Let’s discuss your case and see what we can do to help you get the compensation you need and deserve. Investment loss? Let’s talk. or, give us a ring at 561-338-0037. How Do You Prove Breach of Fiduciary Duty – Four Elements of a Breach of Fiduciary Duty Case To prove a breach of fiduciary duty, four key elements must be demonstrated: the existence of a fiduciary duty, a violation of that duty, resulting harm, and a causal connection between the breach and the harm. Duty – There Exists a Fiduciary Duty There must be an established fiduciary relationship between you and the other party for the fiduciary to owe you a duty. To hold a fiduciary accountable to their standard of care, it is essential to demonstrate that they knowingly accepted the role. This is typically shown through a written agreement between the parties, such as a customer agreement. Breach – There Was a Violation of This Duty Fiduciaries are required to work in the best interests of their clients, and any deviation from this standard may constitute a breach. To demonstrate a breach of fiduciary duty, one must have evidence that the individual holding this responsibility acted negligently or maliciously—or prioritized their own interests over yours. This can include lost investments, diminished value of your assets, outright theft, decisions made without your consent, or failure to carry out one’s fiduciary responsibility. You can also prove a breach through the fiduciary’s failure to act—for example, not disclosing a conflict of interest. It is best to speak with an investment fraud lawyer to determine if your fiduciary failed in their responsibility and contributed to your losses. Damages – The Breach of Duty Resulted in Harm to You For there to be a legitimate claim of breach of fiduciary duty, the breach must have caused you to suffer damages. Proving there was a breach is not enough for a valid claim of breach of fiduciary duty. Unless you can demonstrate how the violation of fiduciary duty directly caused you to suffer damages, your claim may not be successful. Damages can be either economic or non-economic, such as mental anguish. Causation – There is a Connection Between the Breach and the Harm There must be a direct link between the fiduciary’s breach and harm to you. If you incurred damages that cannot be connected to the individual’s breach, your claim may not be successful. Breach of Fiduciary Duty Examples Breaches of fiduciary duties can take many forms. A fiduciary must act in the best interests of their client. When they fail to do so, serious harm can result. Examples of a breach of fiduciary duty include misrepresentation or failure to disclose information, excessive trading, unsuitable investments, failure to diversify, and failure to follow instructions. Misrepresentation or Failure to Disclose Information If a financial advisor does not present a client with all material information about an investment, this is a breach of fiduciary duty. Material information is what a reasonable investor would consider important when deciding whether to invest. Sometimes financial advisors will mislead investors by omitting information, such as risk factors or any negative information about a stock. Excessive Trading Excessive trading, also known as churning, in your account is a breach of fiduciary duty. Financial advisors or stockbrokers will make large numbers of trades solely to generate more commissions for themselves. Unsuitable Investments Financial advisors must “know their customer” before making investment recommendations. This includes understanding the client’s investment objectives, risk tolerance, time horizon, financial standing, and tax status. The advisor breaches their fiduciary duty if they make an unsuitable investment, even with the best intentions. Failure to Diversify Your financial advisor must recommend a mix of investments so that your assets are properly allocated among various asset classes and industries. Failing to diversify your portfolio puts you in a position of great risk and is a breach of fiduciary duty. If your assets are over-concentrated in a particular stock or sector, you may experience significant losses if the company or industry does not perform well. Failure to Follow Instructions When you give instructions to your financial advisor, they have the fiduciary duty to promptly perform your orders. If your advisor fails to follow your instructions in a timely manner and you suffer financial losses, you can recover. Can You Pursue a Lawsuit for a Breach of Fiduciary Duty? Yes, you can pursue a lawsuit for a breach of fiduciary duty. You will need to speak with an investment fraud lawyer to determine if your fiduciary failed in their responsibility and contributed to your losses. It is important that you prove there was a breach, damages were caused, and the breach was directly...
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