No business owner ever wants to think about it, but it happens every day: an employee, vendor, or customer brings legal action against you. Facing a lawsuit is a scary and overwhelming experience. But that’s why business law attorneys exist: to make sure you understand your rights and receive representation to give you the best chance to be successful when your day in court comes. Here are three basic functions that business law attorneys can perform for you.
Protect you by directing communications
If you’ve been sued, it is absolutely critical that you not contact the party that has filed suit directly. Any communication at all, from phone calls to emails, can be used as part of your case, so every word needs to be carefully drafted and delivered by an attorney. This may seem unnecessary, but business law attorneys are well-versed in what terms and phrases can help or hurt your case. More to the point, the plaintiff’s representation will know this too and be ready to jump on any opportunity they see.
Work with your insurance company
You may not realize this, but your insurance might cover your lawsuit! In many cases, insurance policies for businesses cover not only the judgement and settlement (if you are found to be liable) but also court costs and attorney fees. Business law attorneys will coordinate with an insurance representative to make sure you get everything you’re entitled to under your policy.
Craft your official response
This may sound like common sense, but it bears repeating: Ignoring a lawsuit never makes it go away. In fact, it always makes matters worse. Once a lawsuit has been served, a response has to be submitted. The deadline is generally listed in the complaint documents, but a good rule of thumb is to expect it to be due within 30 days. As with all communication between parties, it must be crafted meticulously. Business law attorneys will advise you of your options and help you choose your course of action when facing a complaint. Assuming you plan to fight the suit, they will use your official response to inform the plaintiff of your intentions, using the appropriate legal terminology and etiquette.
You can’t afford to make the mistake of assuming you can handle legal matters by yourself, and neither can your business. Business law attorneys will fight to get you the best outcome when facing legal action.
