If you’re running a business that works with the public, the chances are that you’ll face a lawsuit sooner or later. It’s important that you have an idea of how to handle those lawsuits. Even if the lawsuit is inappropriate, some people will pursue them and cost you thousands.
One of the goals that your attorney will have is to prevent you from ending up at trial. Trials are costly and time-intensive. With between 36 and 53% of small businesses facing litigation in any year and up to 90% of businesses facing litigation at any one time, so you should have some kind of plan in place to help you avoid the heavy cost of a court case.
Prevention and mitigation are the goals. By taking steps to minimize the risk of litigation, you could help prevent a case from ever being filed. If a case is filed against your company, then mitigating it is key.
For example, make sure you have contracts with all workers and have clear guidelines. Then, if there is an issue, you can refer back to the contract. You may even want to include an arbitration clause.
It’s also smart to have the appropriate liability insurance in case a customer is injured. If someone falls or gets sick on your premises, you want to know that any injury is covered, even if it’s not your fault. You should also be kind, and address issues as they arise. Something as simple as a refund for poor service could end up preventing litigation down the line, which is something to go over with your attorney.