When you run your own business, you will face challenges – some more difficult than others. Legal problems often are among the more difficult challenges for businesses. If your business ends up in a business litigation lawsuit, a judge can rule against you. That could significantly hurt your business, maybe even putting you on the brink of bankruptcy.
So, if your business faces an unfavorable court decision, does that mean you should appeal it? When does that make the most sense?
In a civil matter, a judge grants you or your business the right to an appeal. However, your business can’t get an appeal granted just because you didn’t like the court’s prior decision. You or your business has to show you have grounds for an appeal, such as:
· The court made an error in law. For example, maybe the judge misinterpreted a legal precedent that applies to your case.
· The judge didn’t allow your attorney to introduce important evidence in your case or improperly allowed another party to introduce evidence in the case, evidence that helped the judge come to his or her initial ruling.
· The evidence presented in the case didn’t support the judge’s decision.
Your business litigation attorney can help you determine whether appealing a business litigation court decision makes sense. You wouldn’t want to waste time and money pursing an appeal that your attorney feels wouldn’t be successful. That ultimately can damage your business’ bottom line further.
When you decide to appeal, your attorney needs to show strong evidence why your appeal is warranted, so it can move forward and potentially overturn a lower court’s decision.