While it might be nice to dream of owning a business without running into any disputes, the reality is that litigation is sometimes unavoidable. The type of dispute a business might be most at risk for will likely depend on the industry, but there are a few common issues that tend to pop up across businesses of all types. The following are some of the more common types of business lawsuits in Georgia.
Contract and agreement disputes
Contracts often play an essential role in both daily operations as well as in the overarching success of a business. When one party fails to live up to the terms set out in the contract, it could lead to a breach of contract lawsuit. Partnership or sales agreements can also result in legal action.
Intellectual property disputes
Most businesses as well as individuals work very hard to protect their intellectual property. When a business uses copyrighted or trademarked materials, it could be accused of infringing on another’s intellectual property. Intellectual property lawsuits are usually prefaced by cease-and-desist letters, which give businesses the opportunity to stop using that material and potentially avoid a lawsuit. Other issues a business might end up facing a lawsuit for include:
- Fraudulent behavior
- General liability
- Libel or slander
- Professional liability
A lawsuit does not have to completely derail a business. In Georgia, business owners have several options at their disposal for dealing with business lawsuits, including arbitration, mediation and litigation in a courtroom. Determining which approach is best is not always straightforward though, and most owners could potentially benefit from the guidance of an attorney who is well versed in business law.