What legal steps can I take to protect my small business from liability claims in Texas?

As a Texas attorney, I can provide legal advice on the steps you can take to protect your small business from liability claims in Texas.

1. Incorporate Your Business: Incorporating your business creates a legal entity that is separate from you and your personal assets. If your business is sued, your personal assets will be protected. You could choose to form a Limited Liability Company (LLC), Corporation or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).
2. Get Insurance Coverage: Insurance coverage can help safeguard your business and personal assets from liability claims. Liability insurance policies should cover the following:
   1. General Liability: This coverage safeguards against bodily injury, property damage or harm (including libel and slander) caused by employees or from the use of the business establishment.
   2. Workers’ Compensation Insurance: This coverage provides benefits to employees if they are injured performing their job duties.
   3. Professional Liability Insurance: This policy protects businesses from liability for professional negligence or errors.
3. Take Steps to Minimize Risk: Ensuring that your workers, customers and vendors are safe should be a top priority by creating safety policies and procedures.
   1. Workplace Safety: Implement safety procedures to prevent workplace accidents.
   2. Security Measures: If your business is robbed or vandalized and/or data breach occur, the company can face legal claims. Enhancing your security measures like access controls or implementing two-factor authentication may safeguard you in the event of those events.
   3. Training Employees: Proper training helps ensure employees handle issues correctly and consistently, and training will help decrease any legal risk.
4. Create a Liability Waiver: In some cases, businesses may have customers or clients sign a liability waiver to release the business from any legal claims arising from a particular activity or service.

It is recommended to consult with a licensed attorney to ensure that you are taking all the necessary legal steps to protect your small business from liability claims in Texas. Legal advice tailored to the specifics of your business will offer maximum protection for your business.