Running a small business carries with it a lot of responsibility. There are times when you might be doing more work than anyone else, and you might even be the sole person involved in the business. Keep so many plates spinning can be dizzying and complicated. This puts you in the dangerous position that there’s always a chance that you might miss something. Sometimes it can be something simple that just results in a little extra work for a couple of days. But sometimes it can result in something far worse. If you’re not careful, you can get yourself into some potentially serious legal trouble. The world of business law is complicated, and it’s surprisingly easy to end up on the wrong side of it. So here are some things that you can do to keep your business out of any legal trouble.
Get everything in writing
If you’re trying to either make a case or defend yourself on a legal level, you can’t do anything without evidence. This might seem like the most obvious thing in the world but it’s genuinely surprising how many small business owners forget this simple fact. Make sure that every interaction you have, whether it’s with freelancers, investors or customers, is recorded and put down in writing. Then make sure that it is kept somewhere safe and secure so that you can access it anytime you need to. While oral contracts are also valid, they’re pretty hard to prove in court since it’s basically just your word against someone else’s. Make sure that any decision that’s made in regards to your business is written down so that you always have evidence of it.
Get insured
Plenty of business have insurance, but many don’t have nearly enough. Don’t assume that you only need to insure things like your premises. Error and omissions insurance is something every business needs but far too many ignore. It protects you if you make a mistake and are being sued for it. It doesn’t matter what kind of business you’re running, this sort of insurance is absolutely necessary.
Get some help
Legal waters can often be pretty murky. Trying to wade through complicated legal jargon can be confusing and difficult. That’s why it’s a great idea to seek legal help as early as possible. If you find yourself needing to sue for defamation of character but have no idea how to progress, then finding the right attorney to support your and your business is crucial. Don’t wait until you really need one either. A lawyer can help you avoid legal trouble as much as recover from it.
This might all seem rather scary, but these sorts of legal problems, while not that common, are something you need to be aware of. If you bury your head in the sand and ignore these things, you’re setting yourself up for disaster in the future. By facing them head on and preparing for them, you make like far easier for yourself in the long run.