How to avoid getting sued as a small business owner

As a small business owner you face many different things that can cause you to lose your business. Being sued due to negligence and other things can completely devastate you financially and it will cause you to lose your business. There are other reasons why you could be sued and all of them are preventative with a few simple steps. Here are some of the reasons why small business owners may be sued and what you can do to prevent it.

Is your business registered correctly? If you do not legally establish your business correctly, it can lead to lawsuits against your company. You have to hire a good attorney to help you go through the process of properly establishing your business so you don't need to worry about a lawsuit.

Hire a CPA to help you file your business taxes correctly. You can be sued because you aren't paying your taxes correctly and it doesn't take the IRS long to come after you if you are not paying payroll taxes and other quarterly taxes on time and correctly. Hiring a good CPA or accounting firm is a great way to prevent big problems with the IRS and your state.

A good lawyer will also help you with other things that can leave you vulnerable to law suits like copyright infringement, trademark violations, and patent law.

Safety concerns are always a big thing that you need to watch out for. You have to take the time to prevent accidents as much as possible to make sure the business is not responsible for them. You also need to purchase good liability insurance that will be able to keep your business safe and protected.

Part of being a business owner also comes down to making sure you have your back covered. You need to set forth forms that will legally protect your business such as employee manuals and contracts. This can help you if you have to let go an employee and they want to sue your company for unjust reasons for termination. Backing up yourself is a great way to stay protected. Watch your email communications as well and hang onto them as you never know when you will need this correspondence if there is a lawsuit filed against your company.

A business that has multiple employees and has a complicated structure such as one that has investors needs to really take the steps to cover their tracks and to ensure everything is in order. Do not use wrong documents and even the wrong words can leave you vulnerable to lawsuits. A lawyer will be able to help with this as they are trained in the documents and verbiage you need to have to ensure your business is legal and legitimate and that you do not have any loopholes.

Even if you are a sole proprietor, you should look into insurance coverage that will protect you. Offering services like massage therapy from your home can leave you and your home vulnerable to lawsuits. By taking the time to take to your insurance company and acquire the proper insurance coverage you need will really save you a big headache along with any worries you may have about being sued.

Check with the Small Business Administration about the legal implications you need to watch out for. They can help you find a good lawyer and they will also be able to provide you with the documents you need to have that will keep your business safe and protected against a lawsuit of any kind. Having insurance and meeting with a lawyer doesn't take a lot of time and it is by far one of the best things you will ever do for your business.