Category: Business Law

How To Keep Social Media Out Of Your Personal Injury Claim

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social media and your personal injury case.

Social media has completely taken over our lives. Most people have a habit of posting daily to multiple platforms. These platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, Pinterest, and many others. The majority of people don’t think too much about what they’re posting or how it could affect them in the court of law. However, if you are looking to file a personal injury claim, it’s important to be aware of how your social media presence could impact your case. Here are 3 ways to keep social media out of your personal injury claim.

1. Think Twice Before Posting

Even though social media is the fastest way to update all of your friends and family at once, it’s important to keep these things as private as possible. Detailing your every account of the incident and the post-incident can have an adverse effect on your case. If you must update your loved ones, keep your post simple and to the point. Let them know that you are safe and going to be okay.

2. Public Posts Can Diminish Your Claim

Any post prior to an accident where a person complained about a previous injury, ache, or pain can be used against your claim. Adjusters and defense lawyers could claim that your injury, ache, or pain was caused by a pre-existing condition. Therefore, it’s not possible to seek monetary compensation for the personal injury. Obviously, they are called “accidents” for a reason because we don’t know when they are going to happen. On the other hand, it’s important to be mindful that even what you say on the Internet can potentially be used against you.

3. Courts Can Still Access Private Posts

Setting your profile to private is a good way to screen online friends and even some family that you don’t want to know your business. But, a defense attorney can still gain access to your private account while investigating your personal injury claim. This means that any posts in regards to any physical activity after the incident, or any pre-existing pains or injuries could be used against you.

The best advice for anyone dealing with a personal injury case is to use extreme discretion when posting and re-posting online content. Defense attorneys are looking for any excuse to deny your claim. Avoid talking about specifics in regards to your injury, home, vehicles, or anything else that may have been involved in the accident. Always carefully screen new friend requests and never discuss your case with anyone online. The emotional and physical recovery after an accident is hard enough as it is, don’t make it harder on yourself.

At Sylvester Law we can help you with all aspects of personal injury law.

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7 Mistakes To Avoid When Buying A Franchise

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Buying a franchise is a great opportunity to go into business for yourself. As you start the process of choosing a franchise, it is important to avoid these seven common mistakes that could be potential pitfalls to your new business.

franchise

Buying Into The Hype

Many companies will claim to be the greatest but buying a franchise is a business venture. In business, there is, unfortunately, no such thing as a sure thing. Not all franchises are equal, and not all of them will result in instant or long-term success.

Not Doing Market Research

It is easy to get excited when shopping for a franchise, but do not let that excitement keep you from really digging in and doing the necessary market research. While a franchise make look like a great opportunity at first, it is imminent to know how well your franchise will do in the marketplace.

Choosing the Newest Franchise

For many, the main draw to purchasing a franchise is the fact that you also obtain the brand name and proven record of that company. While the newest franchise might be enticing, investing in an up-an-coming business can be very risky.

Not Having an Emergency Fund

While researching different franchises, you will likely carefully calculate the franchise cost, fees and ongoing royalties but it is important to have an emergency fund in place in case your new business does not start turning a profit as quickly as you expected.

Not Having an Exit Strategy

Understanding the terms of your contract is obviously vital and while you may be focused on what it includes in regards to your business running successfully, it is equally important to know what will happen if your situation takes a more negative turn. You should be informed as to what will happen if you close your business before your contract is up or if your business goes bankrupt. Obviously, you hope these situations do not arise, but being informed will help if they do.

Not Hiring a Franchise Advisor

Buying a franchise is a big financial investment but investing in legal advisors is equally vital to the success of your business. Having a franchise attorney can be extremely helpful as they can help you to understand and negotiate your contract, and show you what to avoid during the process.

Assuming the Franchisor has Your Back

It makes sense that your franchisor will want your business to succeed, but at the end of the day they will protect their own interests first. When it comes to business, it is important to remember that they may not always have your best interest at heart.

At Sylvester Law we can help you with all aspects of business law.

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Protect Your Intellectual Property

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Protecting Your Intellectual Property

If you own a business, you have intellectual property and while protecting it may seem like a daunting task, it does not have to be. With the right information and guidance, you can prohibit others from using your ideas, creations and so forth. The right protection is so important, because without it, you could experience loss of revenue and possibly clients. Your ideas, inventions, logo and even your business’ name can all be legally protected if you take the right steps to make it happen.

Knowing Your Rights

As a business owner, you have rights available to you to protect your intellectual property, and knowing which right, or rights, you need is essential. A trademark is used to protect your business’ name, symbol or logo, and keeps them from being used by anyone else. When protecting your original works like books, videos or songs, a copyright is used to prevent others from distributing, selling or making money off your work. Patents are specifically designed to protect your unique inventions, ensuring others will not be able to make, sell or use them.

Seeking Advice

Once you understand your rights, it is important to speak to an attorney who can evaluate your business and intellectual properties. An attorney will be able to use that evaluation to advise you on what protection you need and how to avoid making any mistakes. As always, with business, talking to an attorney who is experienced in your specific industry, is an advantage.

Plan Ahead & Act Quickly

If you are starting a new business, protecting your intellectual property needs to be one of your first priorities. Protecting your intellectual property is so important and can be crucial when getting your new business off the ground. If, for some reason, you already have a business up and running, but do not have your intellectual property protected, it is not too late. Act quickly, because even if it is just your business’ name and logo, it is yours and you deserve to have that protected.

You worked hard to start your business and you continue to do so as your serve your clients. Make sure all your hard work, and the work of your employees, is not in vain by protecting your invaluable creations, ideas and other intellectual properties. Do not give someone else the chance to benefit from your creativity and expertise, place a legal lock on your intellectual properties, just as you would your storefront or shop.

Find out how Sylvester Law can provide you with affordable business legal services.

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