One of the most unfortunate certainties of business ownership is that you will likely at some point or another face at least one lawsuit against you. Chances are, you will not have done anything unscrupulous or malevolent. In fact, chances are good you will not have done anything wrong at all. The truth is, litigation has become the norm in our society and frivolous lawsuits abound—particularly personal injury (PI) suits.
But just because a personal injury lawsuit is frivolous doesn’t mean it isn’t expensive, frustrating, and time consuming. Even if you win the case, you could lose money on opportunity costs alone. This is why it is essential that your company take the proper proactive steps to protect itself from potentially being sued for a “slip and fall” situation, a premises liability case, or some other form of professional negligence leading to an injury.
A lawsuit that your company wins is enough trouble as it is, while a personal injury lawsuit that you lose could be ruinous. Below we have outlined six easy steps you can take to prepare you business and protect yourself from personal injury lawsuits.
1) Have an attorney analyze your risk
Personal injury defense attorneys like Phil Griffis are well-versed in PI law, and they understand the various circumstances that could lead to a potential lawsuit. An attorney can analyze your company’s personal injury risks and liabilities and advise you on steps you can take to eliminate those risks. A trained attorney will almost certainly catch liabilities that you otherwise would not have caught.
2) Inspect the premises regularly
Regularly walk and inspect the premises of your business and keep a sharp eye out for any potential hazards, no matter how insignificant they may seem. Watch for uneven or potentially slippery surfaces, jagged corners and edges, poorly secured equipment, or other PI lawsuits waiting to happen.
3) Promptly fix or replace risk factors
When you do discover something that could cause harm and result in a lawsuit, you need to take steps to remedy the situation immediately. Do not put it off or assume nothing will happen in the meantime. Fix and replace risk factors as soon as possible after they are discovered.
4) Post clear signage
Minimize your liability by posting clearly visible and comprehensible signage drawing attention to any potential hazards, particularly after you have discovered an issue and are working on getting it fixed. If there is an aspect or area of your business that is inherently dangerous, be sure to post very bright, large, clear signs at any entry point to such an area for employees and visitors alike.
5) Understand the law
If you don’t know your locality’s personal injury laws and your obligations as a business owner, how can you expect to adhere to them? Understanding the law as it relates to potential personal injury lawsuits against your company is essential for you to be able to mitigate your risks and take appropriate steps to avoid legal issues. A skilled personal injury defense attorney like Phil Griffis can help you fully understand your obligations and remain compliant with any applicable laws.
6) Utilize waivers whenever possible
If it is possible and appropriate for you to have a visitor to your property sign a waiver that indemnifies you from personal injury liability, you should absolutely do so. Utilize waivers whenever you can, and have an attorney draw up the proper language for the waiver to ensure that it will be enforceable.
If your business is facing a personal injury lawsuit, or if you want to take proactive steps to protect yourself from a possible PI suit, please contact the Law Office of Phil Griffis today and let us fight to protect what you’ve worked so hard to build.
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