It should come as no surprise to you that general liability is a major issue for law firms. General liability lawsuits can bankrupt a firm just as easily as a attorney malpractice claim. As with making sure that you take care of the practice of law it is just as important to protect yourself from general liability exposures of your law business to prevent; workplace injuries from happening; but if they do make sure to have a general liability policy to protect you financially should you face a workplace incident.
Here are some ways that you can minimize your general liability risk:
1. Lighting: inspect the lighting in your law firm regularly to ensure that you have sufficient lighting. You should also check your emergency lighting system to make sure that it is working and will provide the lighting necessary to keep employees and clients to your firm safe.
2. Spills and Slips: Be vigilant about spills. Mop up any spill as quickly as possible and make sure to mark wet floors with appropriate signage. Use floor mats in areas like kitchens in which the chances of wet or slippery floors are higher.
3. Outdoor Walkways: An often ignored safety hazard, outdoor areas of your building or office must also be assessed for safety. Conduct daily checks for broken glass, potholes, snow and ice.
4. Stairs: In addition to ensuring that your stairways are well lit at all times, you need to pay careful attention to stairways as a safety measure. Try adding a non-skid surface to the tops of stairs, and always avoid storing things on stairs or landings.
5. Floors and Carpets: Make sure that all carpeted areas are well maintained. Tears, bumps and loose edges all increase the chances of harm. Make sure any doormats are slip resistant and lay flat on the floor.
6. Trips to Clients, Banks, Court House by Employees: It is good practice to order MVR’s for every employee on your staff that drives their car for a business purpose. Although not a “general liability”, exposure, it is a needed coverage called Hired and Non Owned Auto.
7. Other Tips: Check refrigerators for water leaks. Make certain that trash is always properly disposed of and avoid letting trash receptacles overflow. Avoid using extension cords, especially across the span of a room.
Protecting your law firm from everyday risks is an important part as protecting your law firm from a malpractice claim.
For help with protecting the business side of your law practice contact L Squared Insurance Agency.