Business Litigation

If you are in business, it is only a matter of time before you will have the threat of litigation come your way. After all, we are in a litigious society where people often view businesses as a way to get rich because of “deep pockets.”

The Orlando Law Group understands that businesses rarely have deep pockets. Most businesses are operating on a thin profit margin and, sometimes, litigation could be the end of their business.

There is a lot of attention placed on slip-and-fall cases or other negligence cases because of the number of commercials and billboards offering these legal services. Heck, The Orlando Law Group also handles personal injury cases because sometimes they are necessary.

The reality is there are a myriad of types of cases that can be litigated for businesses. They include things such as:

• Pay disputes, including employee classification
• Employee discrimination or sexual harassment
• Lack of payment from a customer
• Breach of contract
• Lease terminations
• Partnership disputes
• Trademark infringement
• Insurance claims
• Theft of property, both physical and intellectual
• Wrongful termination

Of course, just about anyone can sue a business for just about anything. As such, you need a team of attorneys who fully understand business.

Having been in business for over a decade ourselves, we understand fully what it takes to defend your endeavors and protect your company. Of course, this involves strategies to avoid litigation in the first place, but once it cannot be avoided, our attorneys will go to battle for you.

When an issue arises, it is best to give us a call and book in a consultation just to gain a legal perspective on the matter. You may be surprised by what we find, as our attorneys are thorough, dynamic, and creative. They are not your average lawyer because when every case is unique, you must be extraordinarily adaptable. Your business is one of the most important things in your life because it takes care of so much and it takes so much time and effort to build.  It deserves to be protected, and that is exactly what you get when partnering with our firm.

Frequently asked questions about business litigation

How can I prevent litigation?

Unfortunately, there is no simple step you can take to avoid litigation as you have no control over whether someone files a lawsuit against you. But you can do simple things, like have strong and extensive contracts or employee manuals, to clearly set expectations in the case of possible litigation.

I know I was wrong; can I just settle the lawsuit?

We would not suggest anyone look at complex business issues with such absolutes without a careful examination of the facts and unique circumstances around your case. Settlement is always an option, but it is always best to have an attorney help negotiate a settlement. To be clear, never admit wrongdoing to an opposing party because that can be used against you in Court.

I was just served. What do I do now?

As soon as you are served, the clock starts on providing a response to the courts. As such, you need to have an attorney on board to quickly review your options and start work on the next steps.

If I win, the opposing party has to pay my legal bills, right?

Sometimes, but not usually. This is one of those cases that is highly dependent on the issue that is central to possible litigation.  It is important to have clauses in your contracts about fees which is some of the work you can do ahead of time to avoid issues.

My client stiffed me for services provided. Should I take the client to court?

There are a lot of factors that can go into making that decision. For instance, do you know why the client didnot pay? Do they have the money or are they about to close? How much money do they owe you? Have they filed for bankruptcy protection? All of these are just a few of the factors The Orlando Law Group would look at to determine if litigation is the best way to go.

A former employee accused me of firing him because of his religion. I think he might sue.

If this just happened, there are many steps before a lawsuit is filed, including filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, but you will want to prepare and it is helpful for The Orlando Law Group to do a review of the situation with this employee and with all employees.

I feel like I made a mistake investing in a franchise. Will I need to sue to get my money back?

Hopefully, you utilized The Orlando Law Group to review the franchise agreement before you invested in the business. If not, we will do that now and see what opportunities there are to end your agreement. We will also review to see if the franchisor did not fulfill their responsibilities. If there is an opportunity, we think we can use, we will fight for you or get you to the easiest resolution that costs you the least amount.

I can’t afford to take on a legal fight. What do I do?

Let The Orlando Law Group review your case. There may be options available to you.

My partner decided to leave the business and is asking for a large buy-out. Will we need to go to court to settle this?

Partnership disputes are some of the most difficult and most emotional legal issues we are involved in. They are often as difficult as the divorce cases we handle in our family law practice. As such, you will want a law firm who understands what you are going through during this difficult time. The Orlando Law Group has been in your position and understands the emotions involved – and how to treat a partnership break up with the facts of law.

I found out an online t-shirt company is using my logo without compensation. Can I stop it?

Just the threat of legal action can be a good deterrent for people who try to use trademarked materials for a profit, so it often can be an easy thing to stop. Too often, however, it is much more complicated than a letter. We will review your situation and work tirelessly to try to stop the infringement.

I told a friend about my business idea and now she’s opening a business using my idea. What are my options?

Trusting a friend is always risky, but it is human nature to do so. It may be difficult to get restitution if a non-disclosure agreement wasn’t signed, but don’t fret. There could be options available to you once we review your case. It is important to protect the ideas that make up your business even before it begins to avoid this scenario.

If you would like to schedule a consultation for business litigation or any business legal issue, please reach out to our office at 407-512-4394, fill out our online contact form or save this information in case you ever find yourself or a loved one needing to use it.