What Most Small Businesses Miss When It Comes to Legalities

Originally published by Robert Kraft.

Starting a small business is often the goal of a lifetime for many entrepreneurs. Opening their doors to customers in life or online is a tremendous source of satisfaction. However, as customer transactions begin, so does legal liability. Here are several types of legal responsibility small businesses often miss, but need to address.

Product Quality

Whether selling tangible products like clothing or abstract services like accounting, business owners need to ensure their products represent quality and hold up to reasonable customer expectations. If a product or service is misrepresented, a lawsuit may ensue. Come up with standards for quality that will keep your customers happy and coming back.

Truth in Advertising

Marketing and advertising should follow industry standards to ensure truthful advertising claims. Customers get very frustrated when they buy something, only to find it is very different in use than how it was advertised. A dissatisfied customer often spreads the bad news to twenty or more friends and relatives, so it pays in more ways than one to accurately market the business.

Physical Safety

A customer’s or employee’s safety and well-being should be top considerations for any business. If there’s a chance a product will break and harm someone, it should be repaired or re-designed to prevent injuries. If the business is housed in a physical shop or office, the premises should be routinely inspected to keep the area clean, well-lit, and free of physical hazards like water leaks or frayed wires. Someone who gets hurt at the company location may file a personal injury lawsuit.

Equal Opportunities for Employees

Employees should be treated fairly and without discrimination according to current federal and state laws. Showing bias toward an employee can lead to litigation if they decide to file suit. Respect all workers and consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or gender should be given to everyone associated with the business. In this area especially, as well as the related areas of legal concern, a business owner could benefit by earning a business administration degree, which covers important topics like these.

Security Safeguards 

Adequate security should be provided to protect your company assets as well as employees and customers. This may include a monitored parking area, well-lit entrances, security alarms on windows and doors, and computer anti-hacking apps. Failing to safeguard anyone or anything related to the business may result in serious claims and losses, and in some cases, fines.

A small business owner doesn’t have to be a lawyer to understand legal issues of entrepreneurship. But earning certification from MBA online accredited programs can help to provide valuable information. Show that your small business is ready for the business world and that you can face whatever is thrown your way by being educated and up to date on the latest in business legality.

Author Information: Eileen O’Shanassy is a freelance writer and blogger based out of Flagstaff, AZ. She writes on a variety of topics and loves to research and write. She enjoys baking, biking, and kayaking. Check her out on Twitter at @eileenoshanassy.

Curated by Texas Bar Today. Follow us on Twitter @texasbartoday.

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