Protecting Your Small Business From Common Lawsuits

When you own and operate a small business, it can be the realization of a lifelong dream. Many business owners are drawn to the freedom and financial opportunities offered by owning and running a successful company.

As a business law attorney and a small business owner, I also realize the risks that come with business ownership. For example, small business owners are always operating under the fear of facing a lawsuit. A small business can be sued for a plethora of reasons. Even if the cause of action has little chance of being successful, the economic drain on the company can have extremely detrimental consequences on its ability to continue to operate efficiently.

Lawsuit Woes for Small Businesses

Businesses have exposure to many different types of lawsuits. Company owners who wish to protect themselves should be aware of the potential issues that could arise and understand how to prevent them. In many cases, it may be prudent to work with a consultant or a business law attorney to help develop business practices that minimize the company’s vulnerability to suit.

The most common types of lawsuits include:

• Employment Issues: An employment-related lawsuit is regarded as a “high-impact” type of lawsuit. Often, small company owners do not fully understand the legal obligations they have when hiring, disciplining, or terminating an employee. Employment lawsuits can arise when an employee claims discrimination, minimum wage violations, wrongful termination, and other issues related to his or her work with your company.
• Breach of Contract: Entering into various types of contracts is an essential part of running a small business. Purchase orders, partnership agreements, nondisclosure agreements are all kinds of contracts business owners routinely enter into and rely on to meet their business objectives. If either party to a business contract fails to uphold their end of the agreement, a breach of contract suit may follow. These types of lawsuits can be costly to business owners in terms of time, money, and stress. It is wise to enlist a Naperville business law attorney when starting your business to review your contracts and address any potential issues for your company.
• Fraud: Lawsuits regarding fraud can arise when a customer, a client, or even a competitor of a small business alleges that the company intentionally misrepresented or deceived them. Another cause of this type of lawsuit is when a client or customer alleges that a small business intentionally concealed something material to the services they provided that caused some type of physical or financial injury. Injury can be physical or financial.

Turn to Us for Help

Entrepreneurship is a hallmark of the American dream. It is essential that you protect your business, your employees, and your future earning potential. Our skilled and experienced Naperville business law attorneys will defend your rights and relentlessly protect your business interests. Call 630-228-9413 for a confidential consultation at the Gierach Law Firm today.

Sources:

Fiscal Tiger

Forbes