Starting a small business comes with a lot of responsibilities and legal hoops to jump through. Managing day-to-day tasks while also working to expand the business for the future. When you run a small business on your own and it provides income to your family, getting sued can be detrimental. Even small missteps can lead to legal battles or bankruptcy when not handled appropriately.
You can avoid getting sued as a small business when you prioritize honesty and plan for the future. Working with a trusted legal team throughout different stages of your business can also help reduce your risk. Below are some ways you can protect your small business from legal ramifications and lawsuits.
1- Choose The Right Business Structure
In order to build your business on a strong foundation, you will need to choose the right structure for your company. Sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation are the common legal structures for a small business. LLC offers the most protection for your business and helps keep personal finances separate from the business. If you are operating outside of the bounds of your structure, another business or private entity could sue you for financial fraud.
2- Keep Everything In Writing
Keeping detailed records is essential for a functional business and can help you avoid legal disasters. Employment records, safety procedures, and transactions should all be written down and kept in physical form, just in case you need them for the future. Communications inside the business also need to be saved for legal considerations. Emails, internal communications, and notes from meetings may also come in handy if you get sued as a small business.
3- Comply With Employment Laws
Each state has different employment laws and regulations that a business needs to follow. Wages, hiring age, and avoiding acts of discrimination will need to be followed by any business. Employment-related lawsuits are common for small businesses, so it is important to provide a safe work environment, create a clear employee handbook, and follow wage and hour laws your state has implemented. Hiring an HR manager or employment attorney can help you stay compliant.
4- Practice Honest Advertising
Misleading ads, scam marketing, or other false offerings can lead to legal problems for a business. Honest advertising will help boost your business, help you sell products, and keep your customers happy. If you falsely advertise a service or product, a customer could sue you for being deceptive. Businesses need to honor the promotions and guarantees to a letter in order to prevent unnecessary lawsuits. If someone doesn’t recieve what they thought they were paying for, they could take legal action to get what they’re owed.
5- Keep Personal Finances Separate
Mixing personal finances with business finances can put you at risk of financial fraud. Mixing expenses and financial documents could be messy when it comes time to file taxes each year. Opening a separate business bank account, using a company credit card, or keeping business financial records secluded in the office will keep your personal assets protected and business expenses above board.
6- Practice Quality Customer Service
When running a business, committing to customer service will keep people coming back for your products and services. Unhappy customers are more likely to sue your business due to unresolved issues or low-quality products. Providing customers with an apology or help to make the situation right will de-escalate the situation and avoid you getting sued. Quality customer service doesn’t mean your business has to take a financial hit, but issuing a refund or replacement when necessary can provide a better future for your company.
Small Business Help From Our Legal Experts
Small businesses can be overwhelming when you are trying to handle everything on your own. Legal considerations, creating products, and managing customer concerns can fall through the cracks without professional help.
Our experienced business lawyers know how frustrating it can be for a business to go through a lawsuit. WW Partners can help you keep your business compliant and financially sound. Whether you are starting a small business or have a large corporation, we can help ensure smooth operation and compliance with local laws. We have tailored solutions for every client’s unique needs to help you avoid being sued in the future. Reach out to WW Partners to schedule a meeting and get better insight into business operations.