When you own and operate a business, getting served with a lawsuit can be a nightmare. Unfortunately, lawsuits are a common occurrence in business.
Florida Business Lawsuits
The majority is businesses are sued at some point during their existence. Most of these cases will involve a breach of contract dispute. However, entities can also face legal action, such as those related to personal injury, intellectual property, and employment matters. All of these types of lawsuits can be intimidating. The important thing is to get the advice and information you need to address the situation.
Contact a Florida Business Attorney as Soon as Possible
Being presented with legal documents can be stressful and overwhelming. The language in these types of pleadings can be accusatory and upsetting. You may read the other party’s claims and want to react by immediately contacting them and defending yourself. However, it’s crucial to remember that just because someone says something does not mean they have a valid case. Therefore, if you are served with a lawsuit or any other legal papers, your first call should be to an experienced Florida business attorney rather than to the plaintiff or their attorney.
If your business has been sued, the case can go in several different directions. For instance, your dispute may be subject to an arbitration clause. The majority of business-related conflicts settle outside of court. This may be achieved through means such as negotiation or mediation. However, not every case has merit, and it may be possible to file to obtain a dismissal. Your Florida business attorney can help you understand the matter and develop a responsive strategy.
Talking with Your Business Attorney
Once you meet with your Florida business attorney, you can evaluate the plaintiff’s claims. Sometimes, business defendants are reluctant to tell their counsel everything. However, during your meeting, it’s crucial that you are honest with your lawyer and provide them with the information they need to help you.
Don’t Communicate with the Plaintiff
When you are served with a business lawsuit, there are actions you won’t want to take. It’s important to recognize that what you say can easily become part of the case. Therefore, as mentioned above, first and foremost, you don’t want to respond directly to the plaintiff or their attorney. Your communication should be with your attorney, not the party who is suing you. If you have an ongoing relationship where you have to converse, you can do so without talking to them about the case. Your business lawyer can help you determine how to interact with the other party.
Maintaining Relevant Records
You should maintain your related records and gather supporting evidence, documents, and information. Your Florida business attorney can help you identify the relevant materials you should collect and retain.
Working with Your Florida Business Attorney
Once you have contacted your Florida business attorney, you can review the plaintiff’s claims and determine what the allegations are and how and when you need to respond. You will want to work with someone who is knowledgeable about this type of case and communicates well about the matter. Your counsel should be able to help you understand what is happening and what to expect going forward.
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.