As a business owner, there are some things you never want to see. One of these has to be a court summons, or something similar. Legal issues are rarely a good sign, but they don’t have to be a business disaster.

As with anything, as long as you’re prepared, you can face any potential pitfalls. Here are some ways to make sure that you can navigate potential legal issues as smoothly as possible.

The best way to deal with potential legal issues is probably the most obvious method, which is to avoid them entirely. True, you can’t plan for every eventuality, but you can reduce the chances that you’ll end up embroiled in a court case.

Research the guidelines and regulations in your industry, including anything to do with health and safety. If there are risks in your line of work, be familiar with them and do everything you can to mitigate those risks. True, it can cost money to implement health and safety to this degree, but it can cost even more money if your company is found liable for an injury on-site.

It’s also a good idea to invest in worker training and insurance. Again, you can’t prevent every issue, but you can be prepared for if something goes wrong, avoiding more serious financial consequences.

As well as worker injuries or other accidents at work, one of the most common kinds of legal trouble businesses can get embroiled in has to do with money.

Most people who start a business don’t excel at everything involved in running the business itself. For example, you might be a skilled plumber or salesperson, but that doesn’t mean that you’re an expert marketer, IT professional, or bookkeeper.

Unfortunately, running a business does use these different skills, and keeping on top of your financial paperwork is an especially vital part of ensuring that your business doesn’t get into trouble. It’s very easy to make mistakes when filling out your business taxes, and even if you don’t make expensive errors, you might miss out on grants or other benefits that a professional accountant would find for you.

A financial adviser can also prevent your business from going into debt, by helping you make wise financial decisions.

Even if you aren’t involved in a court case right now, it can be beneficial to be in contact with a lawyer to help you avoid legal issues.

But if you are involved in a court case, whether you’re a plaintiff or defendant, it’s vital to have the right kind of attorney on your side. The type of lawyer you need depends on the case itself. For example, if criminal charges are laid against you, you need a criminal defense attorney, not an attorney who specializes in real estate law.

An attorney will help you navigate the court case and get the best possible result for you and your business.