Nearly every day in the United States, a business is sued for one reason or another. Whether you run an online business or operate a physical brick-and-mortar store, you are at risk as well. In fact, it is true that no business is invulnerable to the risks of a lawsuit. Many businesses become the target of a lawsuit, due to an injury that take places on their commercial property. This is typically referred to as a personal injury lawsuit and it could potentially result in a premature bankruptcy. Below, you will learn more about this type of lawsuit and you will find tips for protecting your business.
Understanding The Lawsuit
First and foremost, you should learn more about this specific type of lawsuit. These lawsuits generally stem due to an accident taking place on the business’s property. For instance, a consumer may enter your restaurant and suffer from a slip and fall. The consumer may then place the blame on you. They’ll meet with a lawyer and file suit against your company. The injury can take place in your shop, office or even your vehicle. The business is responsible for providing the consumer with a safe environment and they can be held responsible for accidents that occur on any of their properties. Therefore, the risks are surprisingly higher.
Getting A Lawyer In Advance
Protecting your business should be your top priority. If your business is forced to close its doors, you will not be the only one that will be hurt. Your family and your employees will also suffer. Before a lawsuit is filed, it is pertinent to go above and beyond to find yourself a good lawyer. Do not wait until it is too late. As mentioned above, the disgruntled customer will get a personal injury lawyer. Therefore, if you wish to have a chance of winning your case, you’ll need a good lawyer. Do your research and make sure your lawyer will be able to defend your company effectively.
Inspect Property Regularly
Your business property is prone to defects. Over a period of time, things can go wrong. Your store’s roof could begin to leak in a few years. The leak could result in a wet floor. Your customers will not be expecting a slippery floor and this could lead to a serious injury. Checking your property on a regular basis is highly recommended. Before opening your doors each morning, make sure you walk around your property and see if you can find any potential hazards. Fix these problems right away to decrease your risks.
Dealing With Wet Floors
It is also vital to protect your clients from wet floors. This was alluded to above. Wet floors can become very slippery and it could cause one of your customers to break a limb. There are several techniques for protecting your clients. First and foremost, you should always put up signs close to wet areas. This will make the client aware, so they can simply avoid the wet spot. Rainy weather can also be problematic. When it is raining outside, you need to make sure you have a rug near your store’s entrance.
The rug will allow the customer to wipe off their feet and this will help to prevent the potential for a slip and fall. If these actions have not been taken and a fall occurs, your business could be held liable.
What You’ll Pay
Unfortunately, losing a personal injury lawsuit could be devastating. This will force your company to pay for the plaintiff’s pain and suffer, medical bills, loss of earning capacity, and possibly even more. The settlement could be enormous. It is in your best interest to avoid a lawsuit altogether. However, this isn’t always possible. Therefore, you should begin looking for a great business lawyer as soon as possible.
Kidal Delonix is a contributor to Mr. Hoffman's blog. The views and opinions are entirely his/her own and may not reflect Mr Hoffman's views.
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