Many business owners believe that they will never be the subject of a lawsuit. However, even if you are the most well-meaning owner who tries to be compliant with all laws, you can still find yourself facing legal action by another disgruntled party. Legal disputes can arise in many ways and can quickly escalate to a lawsuit, even if you believe you have done nothing wrong.
Litigation can be costly, time-consuming, and stressful, so you want to take steps to prevent it whenever possible. One way to do so is to be aware of common types of lawsuits involving businesses.
- Breach of contract – Every business is going to enter into a contract at some point and some do so on a daily basis. Anytime two parties sign an agreement, there is the chance that one party may not hold up their end of the bargain. When this happens, one party can file a lawsuit for breach of contract to try to seek specific performance or even monetary damages.
- Labor law violations – If you have at least one employee, you will be required to comply with a number of labor laws regarding minimum hourly wages, overtime pay, hours worked, meal and rest breaks, family leave, health and safety, and more. If an employee believes you have violated any of these laws, they can take legal action.
- Employment discrimination – Similarly, any company that employs anyone is prohibited from discriminating against employees or allowing employees to be harassed based on race, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, color, military status, and other factors. If an employee believes they were the victim of unlawful discrimination or harassment, they may file a lawsuit.
- Ownership disputes – If a business has more than one owner or partner, there is always the potential that they will disagree on a fundamental issue regarding the management of the business. Such disputes can be taken to court in some situations and relationships between owners or partner organizations may be at stake.
Call 732 238-8686 today for more information.
The best way to avoid a lawsuit is to have the guidance of an experienced New Jersey business attorney who can help with compliance issues, contract review and drafting, ownership agreements, and more. Whether you want to prevent litigation or need help because you are already facing a lawsuit, you should never hesitate to consult with the skilled legal team at Bowne Barry & Barry today.
