Running a business isn’t easy. There are some situations where you might need to contact a lawyer. You might need a lawyer’s help in claiming compensation or because you need help because somebody’s claiming compensation from you.
However, if you don’t know what situations warrant legal aid, then you won’t be able to act fast. Whenever you are involved in a situation that requires a lawyer’s help, fast action is essential.
This post will tell you about nine situations that if you ever find yourself mixed up in, you will need a lawyer’s help.
Theft
If you own a brick-and-mortar business, then theft is always a risk. If your business is broken into or if anything is stolen from it, then you should contact a lawyer. According to Sills Law Firm, a lawyer will be able to create an individualized plan for you, because every client has their own specific goals. An individualized plan will mean that you get the representation that you need. You should also contact the police if somebody steals from your business. The police will appoint a prosecutor to your case so you won’t need a lawyer for court, but you can hire a lawyer to sue the person responsible in civil court.
Injury
Again, if you own a brick-and-mortar business then there’s always a risk that somebody could injure themselves inside your premises. If somebody does injure themselves inside your business’s premises, then it can cause some very big problems for you. People can actually sue you if they are injured inside your business. However, they can only sue you if their injuries were caused by your negligence. The person suing you will have to prove that it was your fault. You can hire a lawyer to represent you who can investigate the matter and hopefully produce evidence proving it wasn’t your fault at all.
Defamation
Defamation is a big problem for businesses. Sometimes clients have bad experiences with businesses and decide to leave very exaggerated reviews or even make things up. If one of your customers does this then it could seriously damage your business’s reputation. It is important to pursue any unfounded claims in court. A lawyer will be able to mount a defamation case for you, and you will be able to take the person responsible for slandering you to court.
Fraud
Fraud can be a problem for both physical and digital businesses. In fact, if you own a digital business then fraud is arguably more of a risk for you than it is for owners of brick-and-mortar businesses. The reason for this is that cybercriminals tend to target digital businesses more than they do physical ones since everything is handled online. A lawyer will be able to help you to get the justice that you deserve if you have been the victim of fraud. You should also make sure that you have a firewall on all of your work devices, in addition to an online security service protecting you.
Tax Complications
Moving away from criminal issues, a lawyer will also be able to help you with any tax problems that you are having. It is often the case that inexperienced business owners make mistakes with their taxes. Unfortunately, the IRS isn’t very forgiving when it comes to tax mistakes. If you do make one, then a lawyer will be able to provide you with the defense that’s necessary to ensure that you don’t get the book thrown at you. A lawyer may be able to argue on your behalf and prevent you from getting any kind of punishment.
Business Structure
If you are unsure what business structure your business should have, a business lawyer will be able to help you. Your business’s structure is something that you need to give a lot of thought to. If you aren’t familiar with the term ‘business structure’ then it refers to the way in which your business is organized, as far as its legal status is concerned. A lot of business owners have absolutely no idea what their business structure should be. Your business’s structure will influence how much you have to pay in taxes and how you file for them, which is why it’s such an important thing to prepare and think about.
Employee Issues
If you are experiencing problems with a specific employee, then a lawyer will be able to tell you what options you have. Unfortunately, you have to be very careful about how you discipline and punish employees. You can’t just fire an employee without giving them a warning unless what they have done is very serious. The reason for this is that they could then try and take legal action against you in response and contest the dispute. A lawyer will be able to help you to understand your options and assist you in disciplining staff.
Contracts
Contracts can be very confusing. It’s not hard to see why, since contract law is a discipline in its own right. Some people spend years studying contract law. If a contract isn’t properly formatted and written, then it can end up being redundant or might not confer adequate legal protection. You need to make sure that all legal documents and contracts you have drawn up are written and supervised by a professional contract lawyer. A contract lawyer will be able to draw up professional documents for you, in addition to inserting legal protections for you, like break clauses.
Internet Law
Internet law is an area of law that’s very misunderstood, mostly because it is in its infancy. If you are a business owner and have an online presence, then it is a very good idea to take some time to learn about internet law and its nuances. A professional internet lawyer or an internet law firm will be able to help you to understand internet law properly. If you encounter any problems online (i.e., phony reviews, people impersonating you, or attempts at fraud) then an internet lawyer will be able to tell you what your options are and help you to advance claims or cases against the parties responsible.
As a business owner, you need to know what situations warrant a lawyer’s intervention. By understanding and knowing what these situations are, taking legal action against people will be a lot simpler. Make sure to only ever hire experienced, qualified, and well-reviewed lawyers to represent your company.
