Depositions are a common legal process that occurs during a business lawsuit’s discovery phase. The information provided during a deposition can be crucial to you being able to prove or defend your position in a business lawsuit. Therefore, if you have been served with a deposition notice, you will need to know what to do to be ready. Here is more on preparing for your business lawsuit deposition.
Florida Business Lawsuits
When you established your Florida business, it may not have occurred to you that your enterprise could be sued. However, the fact is that most businesses will be sued at some point during their existence. Although it can be intimidating, being served with a lawsuit does not automatically mean the other party has a valid case or claim. However, when this type of action is initiated, there are important deadlines that must be met. Therefore, if you are presented with legal documents, you should contact an experienced Florida business attorney as soon as possible to review the matter and discuss your options.
Preparing for Your Florida Business Lawsuit Deposition
When you meet with your Florida business attorney to discuss the case, you will spend time reviewing the other party’s claims. During this process, you can discuss what a deposition is, how it will be conducted and what to expect during the process. Your business lawyer will also help you understand the types of questions you will be asked and why. You and your business attorney will also review your defensive strategy for the case.
Business Deposition Questions
Some questions will be about basic information—your name, where you work, what you do for the company. Others will be devised by the deposing party to help them establish the elements of their claim. For instance, suppose the other party has alleged that you breached a contract term. In that situation, they may ask you questions about not performing the specific requirement as agreed.
Knowing What to Say and Not to Say
On the surface, business litigation depositions may seem relatively straightforward. However, it’s important to remember that they are part of the discovery process. As such, the questions you are asked during a deposition are designed to elicit information that will help the other party win their case. In addition, attorneys also use these meetings to look for additional facts and evidence that could be used to support their client’s position. Therefore, before being deposed, it’s crucial that you have a sense of what to say and not to say in response to the questions you will be asked. Your business lawyer can help you prepare for these types of inquiries.
Understanding the Deposition Parameters and Purpose
Like other forms of discovery, depositions are set for a specific purpose. In other words, these sessions are not without limitations. Both plaintiff and defense attorneys are permitted to ask questions during a deposition. However, one or both may object to a question or instruct their client not to answer. One important thing to remember is that just because you are asked a question does not mean it’s relevant. For example, you are not expected to talk about matters outside of your knowledge. Further, while you are expected to tell the truth, that does not mean you have to embellish or volunteer information that has not been properly requested. Your business attorney can help you understand the scope of the questioning during the deposition. They will also help you prepare for your deposition so that you are ready to answer questions.
If you have been served with a deposition notice, it is imperative that you discuss the matter with an experienced Florida business attorney. You will want to review the case with your lawyer and have their representation and advocacy during your Florida business deposition.
Contact an Experienced Florida Business Lawyer
Attorney Richard Sierra at the Florida Small Business Legal Center assists clients like you with commercial leasing, business, and litigation matters. As always, Our Goal Is to Help You Succeed™. For an appointment, you may call us at 1-866-842-5202 or use the contact form on our website. We represent clients throughout the State of Florida, including Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Deerfield Beach, Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Orlando, Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Tampa, and surrounding communities.