Class action lawsuits are very common, but if you own a business, you may eventually come at the risk of being a part of a class action lawsuit. In general, it’s a scary thought. You’re not a legal expert; you’re just a business owner. But, in the off chance that this happens to you, what can you do to defend yourself?
For starters, how big was your mistake that caused this class action lawsuit? Is it on the same scale as Camp Lejeune toxic water compensation? Did you and your business intentionally do something wrong? What can you do to save yourself and, hopefully, your company from falling into financial ruin? Continue reading to learn more about navigating this very stressful event.
Hire an experienced class action lawyer
One of the very first steps to do in the scenario is to, hire some experienced lawyers that specialize in class action lawsuits. There are many ways to go forth with this, online local lawyer sites such as Spokane law or similar sites for your location are great. It’s vital that you retain a counsel that has plenty of experience in defending class actions. This is going to work in your favor.
Take a deep dive into the facts
There is no doubt about it that there are plenty of business risks out there, but getting into legal trouble, including a class action lawsuit, would be the “nail in the coffin”. So, one of the first things you’re going to need to do after appointing a team of lawyers is going to research. You’ll need to take a deep dive into research so you can get all of the facts straight.
In order to successfully defend against a class action, you’re going to need to know exactly what happened, how, when, and why. This is going to include documenting everything and leaving a paper trail to cover yourself and your business. This is also going to include conducting in-depth interviews, phone calls, messages, and hunting for evidence to help you.
Fix your mistakes
If you did cause some mistakes, then you’re going to need to fix that immediately. If you discovered during the course of the investigation that there are issues within your business, then this is something you’ll have to fix ASAP. The sooner, the better when it comes to this. Plus, the correction is going to help you not appear as the “bad guy.” It’s best not to get into the mindset of “if I fix this, then I’m admitting to guilt,” as it doesn’t work like that, especially for a class action lawsuit.
Think about an early motion to dismiss
This is something that doesn’t always work, but it’s at least work taking a look into. You can try to file a motion in hopes that the case may be dismissed in the early stages. This doesn’t happen very often, but it’s still worth a shot. Plus, even if the motion isn’t dismissed, this can at least help in having early battles ( which is useful). This could also narrow the claims against you and your business and reduce your exposure (which can lead to bad PR).
Consider settlement
It may be better to settle this early, as it could lead to a cheaper settlement, such as paying individually. This does have the potential to save you from a headache, and it’s much better in the long run.
Be safe out there,
Stanley
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