You’ve worked hard to get your business to a good place. Your blood, sweat, and tears are involved, and your business is personal. One of the worst things you can imagine happening is having someone sue your company. The damage that can be done to your business’ reputation alone can cost you everything, not to mention the time, money, and stress that can come with it as well. Doing whatever you can to protect yourself and your business from any kind of personal injury liability is a must.
Keeping everyone safe, including your employees and customers, should be at the top of your priority list. Be sure your business is as safe as possible by reducing risks and potential lawsuits in case an accident happens. Some ideas for protecting your business may involve the following:
- Keep Your Business Finances Separate from Your Personal Ones. Setting up your business as a limited liability company (LLC) or a type of corporation can guard your personal assets and protect you personally. A lawsuit directed to your business would keep you safe as the owner and ensure that you are not personally liable.
- Get Insurance! An easy way to minimize the financial damage that can occur with a lawsuit is to have liability insurance as well as other available insurance depending on your line of work. These kinds of insurance can protect you from all kinds of claims, including personal injury, property damage, and more. If you have employees, worker’s compensation insurance is a must as well. Talk to your insurance agent about what specific kinds of insurance you should have to protect your business’s particular needs.
- Put Everything in Writing. Make sure to have signed contracts when appropriate and keep meticulous records. Saving emails, letters, invoices, and other communication from employees, vendors, customers, etc., can be a lifesaver if claims are filed against your business. Being able to show proof of your attempts of safety, overall wellbeing, and best business practices can save your business.
- Educate Your Employees. Making sure your employees are trained correctly and have the education they need to perform specific duties and tasks or operate equipment and automobiles can protect you and your staff from injuries and, in turn, personal injury legal cases. Talk with your employees about how you can help them perform their job better and in a safer way. Encourage them to talk with you at any time and bring any concerns or issues to you immediately, especially if an injury is involved or could be potentially involved.
- Build Your Reputation from the Beginning. People come to know your business, how you operate and what you stand for. When a customer is unhappy, how is dealt with? When the community needs help, how do you respond? If you practice business as a trustworthy, dependable owner and company, that reputation will stick in people’s minds and help establish a basis for the good you desire to do.
- Have a Great Lawyer to Consult With. When potential legal issues do come up, having an experienced attorney to talk with and advise you can help you minimize problems and even avoid legal claims altogether. Seeking advice from someone knowledgeable about legal situations when complications arise is always a good idea!
What to Do If an Injury Does Occur
If a personal injury does happen, the vital thing to remember is to act quickly. Train your staff and yourself to work quickly in the event of an accident. The steps to take in the first few minutes, hours, and days can be a big deal in a future liability case.
- Get Quick Medical Assistance. If proper medical attention is not pursued and fast, you can find yourself in some big trouble that will be hard to get out of. Always lean on the side of caution if you are unsure how serious a situation is. Whatever you do, don’t ignore or brush any issue. Make sure your customer, employee, or anyone else is encouraged to get the proper medical attention they need.
- Gather Evidence. Once the injured party has been attended to medically, inspect the area, take pictures, and ask witnesses for statements. If there could be a problem with a product you sell or use, take it seriously and check them out. Maybe even take the product off the shelves until you can be sure there isn’t a problem.
- Report an Injury to Insurance/Worker’s Compensation. When someone is injured, report it immediately to your insurance company. If it’s an employee that is hurt, report it to Worker’s Compensation and give your employee the needed forms to fill out.
- File an Employer’s Report of Accident if Applicable. If an employee was injured, don’t forget to file an Employer’s Report of Accident. This is a report that gives the employer’s side of the story as well as documents any witness accounts, photos, or videos. Be sure to stay updated and monitor your claim so that it is processed correctly and any correspondence needed on your part is taken care of.
- Speak to Your Legal Team. Touch base with your attorney on any injuries that could result in a lawsuit. They can look at the specific injury claim and advise you on ways to respond that could potentially minimize the risk of a lawsuit.
Protect Your Business
The truth is, even when we do our very best to keep everyone safe, accidents and injuries do happen. The injuries that occur at or because of your company can really be a danger to the future of your business. That’s why having the right legal team representing you is imperative. Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. is the legal team you’ll be glad to have on your team to advise and help you with any legal issues that do arise. Contact us at (504) 522-2304 for a free consultation and for more information concerning personal injury liability for your business.
