Elements of breach of contract cause of action

The elements of breach of contract include (1) the existence of a valid contract, (2) performance or tendered performance by the plaintiff; (3) breach of the contract by the defendant; and (4) damages sustained by the plaintiff as a result of the breach. Eckland Consultants, Inc. v. Ryder, Stilwell Inc., 176 S.W.3d 80, 86 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, no pet.). 

A breach of contract occurs when a party fails to perform an act that it has expressly or impliedly promised to perform. Methodist Hosps. of Dallas v. Corporate Communicators, Inc., 806 S.W.2d 879, 882 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1991, writ denied).