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3 Things Not to Do When Your Biz Is Sued

By Ephrat Livni, Esq. | Last updated on

You're in business because you believe people can be convinced of things, for example to purchase your products or services. So when you are served with a lawsuit, you might want to do all kinds of things that will convince the plaintiff that you're a decent human who would never cause anyone harm. Don't do that.

There is no single approach that works for all lawsuits. But there are definitely some things you don't want to do when your business is sued. Let's consider.

Handling a Matter

When you are sued, the first thing to do is review the paperwork, call an attorney, and try not to panic. The vast majority of lawsuits are settled out of court and you can avoid serious trouble if you proceed with caution. Here are some things you should not do.

  • Never Say You're Sorry: Sure, it's great to cultivate an ability to apologize easily and admit fault when you are wrong. That works in life, showing you are reasonable, but not necessarily in the law. Even if you think you are at fault, and you wish to express sorrow about any pain you may have caused another, resist this laudable temptation. Congratulations on being a decent human. Now that you know you have the right instincts, let your lawyer do the talking.
  • No Purging the Paperwork: Save every scrap related to your legal matter, even if only tangentially related. Cases are built on details, evidence, fact by tiny fact. Don't let the desire to get organized, start fresh, or just have a clean desk lead you to the erroneous conclusion that your lawyer has whatever is necessary for the case. Keep your own files, stay organized, and be patient.
  • Don't Blow a Gasket: Lawsuits can be emotionally draining, apart from being a financial strain. It's easy to lose your cool when you are sued and to get really angry, really often. But getting emotional will not resolve your case and only makes resolution harder to achieve. You need to be cool and to remain reasonable so that you can recognize an acceptable resolution when it is proposed and so that you don't blow your case by being explosive during negotiations or in court.

Talk to a Lawyer

If you are facing a lawsuit or just need guidance on your business operations, talk to a lawyer . Having able counsel can make facing challenges a lot easier. Get help.

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