Perhaps you have a special recipe or a unique idea for a restaurant that you know people will love. All you have to do is find the perfect location, purchase the necessary equipment, supplies and decor, and open your doors to the public, right? Actually, there are a number of things you need to take care of first in order to protect your personal finances and your business from litigation. At Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C., we often provide advice to clients on starting a restaurant business.
Before you open a restaurant: how to avoid liability and lawsuits
Legal action against a business owner after a traffic crash
Business owners are taken to court for countless reasons. Sometimes, litigation is centered around disputes with competitors, such as allegations of a breach of contract, for example. Others may involve employees, such as claims that overtime was denied, and an employee may also decide to take their case to court after they are hurt in a traffic collision that took place on the job. Lawsuits as well as the hardships that car accident victims face highlight how essential it is to prevent motor vehicle accidents from occurring on the job. However, more workers will continue to sustain injuries and pass away in the years ahead.
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Colorado?
After working as an employee in Broomfield for years, you have finally summoned up the courage to band together with a few fellow colleagues and form your own business. Yet as you are preparing to leave the office on your last day, your now former boss asks you what your plans are. After you inform him or her of your intentions, he or she politely yet in a matter-of-fact manner reminds you that you signed a non-compete agreement when you were initially hired. Does this now throw a wrench in your plans?
Can dispute resolution clauses prevent employee litigation?
You want to ensure that your employees have what they need to do their job well, and you want them to be loyal to your Colorado business. You definitely don't want disgruntled employees who will file frivolous lawsuits, wasting your time and money and putting your company's good reputation at risk. Although you cannot keep everyone happy all the time, you can make it difficult for an employee to take you to court over an issue that you could have resolved, had you been given the chance.
The battle to sell real beer in Colorado
A contentious law passed in 2016 allows grocery stores in Colorado to sell full-strength beer at stores in more than one location beginning in 2019. It also allowed stores that currently only sell 3.2 beer to begin selling full-strength beer at the same time.
Protecting your small business from sexual harassment claims
If you are like many small business owners, you may be more anxious lately about the risk of sexual harassment allegations in the workplace. The explosion of news stories detailing sexual harassment in various industries across the country may have made you worried about behavior and morale among your staff.
Obtaining a liquor license in Colorado
Business owners in Colorado who want to sell alcohol on their premises need to go through a number of steps through local and state authorities. Also, due to state laws, not all of certain establishments are even able to apply for a liquor license.
What is considered inappropriate in the workplace?
Colorado employers must remain cognizant of proper workplace decorum. Failure to do so can lead to employee conflicts, and may even result in a lawsuit if you fail to maintain a safe and inclusive place of work for all. The following are some workplace behaviors that should be avoided to prevent damaging litigation from occurring.
What is the Family and Medical Leave Act?
As a Colorado employer, having a working understanding of employment law is highly recommended. This is especially true when it comes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which involves workers taking leave for health issues affecting them or family members. Knowing how this act works and how it is applied to employees is crucial to ensuring you remain compliant.
Can a business sue over a bad review?
If you own a business in Colorado, you know just how important customer satisfaction can be. This is especially true when it comes to review sites like Yelp, which give patrons the power to let their opinions (good or bad) be known to future customers. Some business owners have even tried to sue over negative reviews, a practice which has come under fire as of late.
