Records Management...Protection in a Litigious World

I don't have to tell you that we live in a litigious society. You follow EEOC standards. You abide by OSHA rules. You dot your "I"s and you cross your "T"s. Still, there is no way to make your business lawsuit proof.

According to the US Chamber of Commerce, litigation costs more than a quarter of a trillion dollars a year. $98 Billion are spent on tort costs to small businesses.

The Chamber conducting a poll asking the most ridiculous lawsuits of last month. Here are the contenders:

* Lawyer selling products on eBay sues customer who left negative feedback
* Cockfighters sue state attorney general and sheriffs claiming enforcement of ban violates their civil rights
* Handyman who leaned his ladder against a branch he was sawing sues employer for injuries
* Lawyer sues state for revoking mistakenly issued license plate that someone already owned
* Man shot in leg during mini-riot at festival sues police for failing to protect him

It is sort of fun to read about silly lawsuits, but each of those businesses and agencies being sued were probably blindsided. Now they have to spend valuable time and money to simply maintain the status quo.

A comprehensive records management program won't prevent legal action, but it can make you much more prepared. GRM Document Management's eDiscovery services are designed to do just that by preserving your records in a secure online repository. The records are indexed and placed into an easily searchable format.

Part two of AIIM's series, Top 10 Excuses for Not Considering Document Management, discusses the subject of litigation and eDiscovery.