Whether you own a large or small business, being sued can be frustrating and terrifying. A skilled business lawyer can lessen the chances of you being named in a lawsuit.
But if you find yourself in a dreaded lawsuit, what you immediately do after being threatened or served a lawsuit can profoundly affect the outcome. Follow these suggestions to reduce the risk of legal exposure for your business.
READ THE DOCUMENTS
While this seems trivial, if you are served with a lawsuit, take the time to read all the documents thoroughly. Not only will the documents detail the allegations against your company, but they will also contain essential deadlines and procedural requirements you need to follow. Knowing exactly what you are being sued for is critical to gathering the evidence for the case.
CONTACT A COLORADO BUSINESS ATTORNEY
Take action. Lawsuits have specific deadlines that must be followed, and the clock is ticking. If your business gets sued, immediately contact a business lawyer Denver residents trust.
The subject of business lawsuits can vary. Lawsuits can be brought forth by clients, landlords, employees, a competitor, customers, or vendors. Lawsuits can concern contracts, real estate, employment issues, personal injury, intellectual property, or other civil areas. Having a law firm that can handle a wide range of lawsuits will help you stay on track.
At Baker Law Group, we have Denver business lawyers with specialized knowledge in different areas of the law. Additionally, Baker Law Group has Colorado business attorneys, contract attorneys, and other specialized attorneys that can provide pointed expertise in a specific area of business law.
NOTIFY AN INSURANCE CARRIER
If you have the slightest inclination that the lawsuit falls under an insurance policy, immediately contact your carrier. Most policies provide that the carrier will pay your attorney’s fees in defending against the lawsuit. Many policies require the business to inform the insurance carrier of the lawsuit within a specific time frame to receive coverage, do not hesitate.
PRESERVE EVIDENCE
Evidence in a business lawsuit comes in many forms: documents, emails, letters, photos, videos, voice messages, etc. At the start of a lawsuit, it is difficult to determine what evidence will be crucial to the case, and preserving all evidence related to the case is critical. Immediately ensure no documents are thrown away, emails deleted, video footage lost, etc.
Also, failure to preserve evidence can result in sanctions by the court. Parties in a lawsuit are responsible for maintaining all evidence pertaining to the case.
While preserving all the evidence, gather anything that appears tangentially related to the lawsuit. Please keep this information organized and intact (do not write on the documents or change them from their original format). If possible, it is wise to create a digital backup.
CEASE COMMUNICATION WITH THE PLAINTIFF
Cut off all communication with the plaintiff (party initiating the lawsuit) if possible. If you must communicate, do not discuss anything concerning the lawsuit. Any communication can be used against you. Never try to communicate with the plaintiff personally to resolve the lawsuit.
Rest assured; there will be an opportunity to communicate with the plaintiff through your attorney. Your attorney will know how to securely communicate with the plaintiff so that your communication cannot be used against you.
