No matter what type of business you operate or how careful you are in your business dealings, litigation is a risk. You or someone else in your company may make a mistake. A supplier, vendor, customer, former employee, or another entity with which you do business may breach a contract.
To protect your business, you may have no choice but to pursue a lawsuit to recover damages. Or you might find yourself on the receiving end of a lawsuit. Either way, you don’t have to go through a court proceeding alone. Our experienced Missouri business attorneys are here to help you through all the stages of a business lawsuit.
Types of Business Litigation
Any dispute can result in a lawsuit. You may find yourself in a situation where you need to bring or defend a lawsuit due to:
- Breach of contract. If a person or business failed to comply with the terms of a contract or if your business is accused of failing to adhere to a contract, you may face frustrating delays and extra costs.
- Breach of fiduciary duty. Business officers and directors have a fiduciary duty to act in good faith. If any of them misuse funds or otherwise act in their own self-interest rather than in the best interest of the business, then a breach of fiduciary duty claim may be the best way for you to recover.
- Negligent misrepresentation. If someone fails to make reasonable efforts to find out the truth and relies on a misrepresentation for financial benefit, you could have a negligent misrepresentation case if the action hurt your business financially.
- Tortious interference. Missouri law allows businesses to recover legal compensation for financial losses if someone intentionally interfered with business operations or contracts. Tortious interference could include, for example, offering customers below fair market value prices in an effort to keep them from doing business with you.
- Partnership dispute. You entered a partnership with the best of intentions, but sometimes problems arise that can only be resolved through litigation.
- Unfair or deceptive trade practice. A customer may accuse your business of false advertising, fraud, or another unfair or deceptive trade practice. These claims may be costly and hurt your business reputation, especially if they are not handled quickly.
- Employment dispute. An employee dispute may be financially costly and hurt business morale. An attorney can provide you with options for resolving employment disputes.
- Personal injury. Sometimes people slip and fall or otherwise get hurt on your business property and may pursue personal injury claims.
Other disagreements may also arise that cannot be resolved without litigation.
What to Expect From a Business Litigation Lawyer
As a dedicated and successful business owner, you recognize that your business faces a threat. You can prepare your business for future success by contacting an experienced business litigation lawyer to help you address the threat as quickly and cost-efficiently as possible.
Our business litigation attorneys help clients through all steps of the litigation process so that our clients can continue to focus on their business success. Specifically, we will:
- Thoroughly research your case. Our research includes getting all relevant details about the specific situation you are facing and legal research to identify your likely outcomes.
- Advise you about your legal options. Your options may include litigation, informal negotiation, mediation, or arbitration. We will explain the pros and cons of any option available to you and answer all of your questions so that you can make an informed decision.
- Gather evidence. Relevant evidence may include witnesses, expert witnesses, and documentation.
- Communicate with other parties to the lawsuit. When an experienced business lawyer communicates on your behalf, you no longer have to worry about whether you are saying the right thing or about the time communication takes away from running your business.
- File pleadings, briefs, and motions with the court. Each document must meet the court’s requirements and is critical to your litigation success.
- Represent you at trial. If the dispute cannot be settled fairly outside of court, then an experienced business litigator will represent your interests in court.
Throughout each stage, we will work hard to protect your business reputation and continue to set your business up for future success. You can continue to focus on your business with confidence that all of your business litigation needs are well taken care of by your attorney.
Give Your Business a Strong Legal Foundation with Our Business Law Attorneys
Quality legal representation is an investment in the future of your business. The team at Layton & Southard serves business owners throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois from our Cape Girardeau and Perryville offices. Please contact us online or call our Cape Girardeau office directly at 573.335.3359 to schedule your initial consultation.
