What steps can I take to protect my small business from liability?
To protect your small business from liability, there are several steps you can take:
- Incorporate: One of the most effective ways to protect your business from liability is to incorporate it. Incorporation creates a separate legal entity that can be held liable for its own debts and legal issues. By incorporating, your personal assets will be shielded from business liabilities.
- Obtain Insurance: Business insurance policies provide protection against a variety of potential liabilities including property damage, personal injury, and professional liability. Types of insurance include general liability, professional liability, property, and worker's compensation. Obtaining adequate insurance coverage can help mitigate the risk of potential lawsuits, and serve as a foundation to protecting your small business.
- Comply with Regulations: It's important for small business owners to stay up-to-date with regulations and comply with all applicable laws. By understanding and following regulation, you reduce risks posed by complex legal environments.
- Employ Good Practices: Instituting policies and hiring practices that encourage a positive working environment and fair conduct, such as implementing clear workplace policies, training, and conducting background checks, can shield your business from litigation.
- Protect Intellectual Property: Protecting your business intellectual property, by obtaining patents or copyrights, can help prevent others from using, copying, or stealing your creations.
- Work with Legal Counsel: Consulting with a licensed attorney about specific legal concerns or potential legal problems, can provide insight into prevention methods, defense strategies, and evaluation of liability risks.
Please note that this advice is based on general principles of law and that it is not a substitute for individualized legal advice from an attorney in your area.