Often times our prospective clients tell: – “I wouldn’t worry about this…” or “I wouldn’t worry about that particular issue with my coverage… How likely people are going to sue me for something I should not be responsible for?”
Well, our answer is something most people are not going to like:
– In United States of America everyone with a slightest chance your operations/negligence/products have something to do with the accident or claim that occurred is to be found responsible.
For example,
most of us do remember that terrible shooting that happened in Denver, CO movie theatre. Only two years later parents of Colorado theater shooting victims sue ammo sellers. They filed a lawsuit on 9/16/2014 accusing four online retailers of improperly selling ammunition, tear gas, a high-capacity magazine and body armor used in the attack. The lawsuit alleges it was illegal and negligent to sell the gear to James Holmes, who is accused of killing 12 people and injuring 70 in the July 20, 2012, attack. It says the companies had no safeguards to keep dangerous people from buying their goods. Named as defendants in the case are Lucky Gunner of Knoxville, Tennessee, Bullet Proof Body Armor of Tempe, Arizona, BTP Arms of New Oxford, Pennsylvania, and the Sportsman’s Guide of South St. Paul, Minnesota. Experts say it’s going to be difficult for the lawsuit to overcoming a federal law that protects the legal manufacture and sale of weapons and ammunition.
For similar reason, any contractor working on a construction project could be found responsible for any accident that may happen at the job site, even if this contractor was not physically present at the time of the occurrence.
That’s why people who educate themselves on the subject of general liability insurance understand that buying insurance policy is not only getting some limits, but also guaranteeing a legal representation this coverage provides; certainly, the guarantee is subject to applicable policy forms and provisions and is not available in every case you may face as a proprietor. However, all business insurance policies provide insureds with defense coverage, which is the money your insurance carrier pays to hire you a lawyer to represent in a lawsuit.
For the absolute majority of the businesses insurance is something that is extremely affordable, with rates starting at 0.01% of the gross sales/receipts/commissions. And don’t think if you own a corporation or LLC or work out of your home, you are not subject to a lawsuit. See general liability insurance sample quote and request insurance quote now!