Can a former employee sue me for wages after I went out of business?
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Can a former employee sue me for wages after I went out of business?
Asked on October 29, 2012 under Business Law, Indiana
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Yes, legally, you may be sued after you go out of business--going out of business does not terminate the former employee's legal rights, or deny him/her a cause of action.
If the business had been a corporation or LLC, then practically, you may have nothing to worry about: as a general matter, only the corporation or LLC may be sued, and if it has been dissolved--or even if it still exists, but has no income or assets--the employee will not be able to recover anything. The corporate of LLC form insulates the owner(s) from the vast majority of potential liability.
However, if the company was a sole proprietorship or partnership, then the owner(s) may be sued personally for unpaid, etc. wages.
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