Small business owners face immense challenges while running operations on a tight budget. You can imagine how hard it would be to run a small team with limited funds and a growing list of tasks.
You are more likely to make mistakes in these circumstances, and many of them can have consequences beyond financial losses. The worst ones can land you in legal trouble with disputes and lawsuits.
Although these are the last things you want to deal with, you may find yourself facing them more often than you imagine.
Fortunately, it is possible to reduce your legal risk by taking a few simple measures. Here are a few surefire legal tips to safeguard your small business from lawsuits.
Legal tips to Safeguard your Small Business from Lawsuits
1. Have proper written agreements
Written and signed agreements can be lifesavers for small businesses looking for legal protection. They establish the rights and duties of all parties in the event of lawsuits. Moreover, they can prevent business disputes in the first place.
But remember to seek expert advice while drafting contracts with founders, partners, vendors, employees, and clients. Ideally, they should have proper and complete clauses to cover all fronts of agreements.
For example, a contract with suppliers must have details like the services or products, price, delivery dates, and other terms.
2. Separate personal and business finances
Small businesses often run as sole proprietorships because the model is easy and cost-effective to set up.
But the downside of operating as a sole proprietor is that you may become personally liable if a lawsuit happens down the line.
Structuring your enterprise as a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC) puts you in a better place from a legal perspective. It separates your personal assets from legal liabilities, so you need not worry about business lawsuits.
Check the options regarding the types of structures for your business and choose the apt one.
3. Protect your reputation
Business reputation is crucial for several reasons, and legal protection is one of them. You can’t expect clients and business partners to believe in your small business if your employees are dishonest.
Their actions can ruin your reputation and lead to lawsuit risks. Preventing such actions should be a priority, but you cannot avert the risk completely.
The best way to deal with fraud lawsuits is by collaborating with a trusted criminal defense law firm to help with a defense plan. Also, vet your employees carefully before hiring them and keep an eye on their activities.
4. Ensure premises safety
In addition to taking the right steps to stop fraud, you should also make sure the building is safe.
A safe workplace prevents worker mishaps and injuries, which can lead to employee disputes and worker compensation issues.
You may land into an even bigger fix if a customer or visitor sustains injuries due to a slip and fall mishap on your premises.
Besides premises safety, product liability lawsuits are also a concern for small business owners. A little caution is enough to prevent these situations.
5. Implement sound employment practices
Being a good employer can also protect your small business against lawsuits. Organizations must comply with several federal and state laws to govern the workplace.
These include laws to prevent workplace discrimination, avoid harassment, and protect the privacy rights of employees. Adherence to these laws can prevent employee lawsuits, so be aware of them and implement them from the outset.
You can seek legal advice to ensure compliance. Besides keeping your company legally compliant, adherence to employment laws fosters a positive workplace culture and a happy workforce in the long run.
6. Protect your files
With organizations becoming increasingly dependent on IT, the risks of cyberattacks abound. A data breach can result in more than just financial losses and reputational damage for your company.
It can also lead to lawsuits from customers who are more privacy-conscious than ever. Implementing best cybersecurity practices is the key to preventing attacks and resulting legal action for your organization.
Start by securing confidential data with robust passwords and selective access. You must also perform regular backups and strengthen your network, hardware, and apps to address cyber risks.
Conclusion
Typically, small businesses face lawsuits several times during their lifespan. But you can avoid a lot of them if you are careful and proactive from the start.
Everything boils down to legal awareness and sound practices. You must also have a business attorney on board to help with the basics like contracts, fraud prevention, and workplace rules.
Taking legal risks seriously should be a priority because complacency can lead to dire circumstances down the road. Look for prevention rather than resolution because this mindset can save a fortune for your small company.
