If you have been sued for breach of contract or if you have received a breach of contract letter or notice, the worst thing you can do is put your head in the sand. Calvin Coolidge reportedly said that nine out 10 problems will intercept themselves before they reach you, but even if that is true, ignoring a breach of contract claim can be fatal to your business. You need to consult a lawyer and, if you are in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, we would be happy to give you a free initial consultation.
The operative word at this point is consult. You need to select the right lawyer, take the steps we recommend in any breach of contract dispute and decide whether to deny the claim, suggest a settlement, or make your own claim. Carefully analyze the personality of your opponent; in most cases your lawyer cannot do that for you. Be creative in thinking about settlement or how you approach your opponent. There have been times when a direct approach—party-to-party—without lawyers has worked, but no such approach should be made without prior discussions with a lawyer. If you have been sued for breach of contract you should still take the above steps even though you are on a tighter time deadline. You should respond to the lawsuit in the time provided by law. If you have missed a deadline, rectify it as soon as possible. Do not make any statements about the case outside the presence of your lawyer.
If you or your business have been sued, contact Tom Patterson at tpatterson@pattersonnlawfirm.com
Click here for information about breach of contracts or call (312) 223-1699.
