What Is General Liability Insurance?
General Liability insurance, also called Commercial General Liability (CGL), protects your law firm from claims arising from your business operations, premises, and products. Unlike professional liability that covers legal services, general liability addresses the physical and operational risks of running a business.
If a client slips in your lobby, if your employee damages a client’s property during a site visit, or if your marketing materials allegedly defame a competitor, general liability responds to these claims.
PSL Insurance Group provides general liability coverage as part of comprehensive protection packages, ensuring your firm is protected from both professional and operational risks.
What General Liability Covers
A standard CGL policy provides coverage in three main areas:
Premises Liability: Bodily injury or property damage occurring on your firm’s premises. This includes slip-and-fall accidents, injuries from office fixtures, and damage to visitors’ belongings.
Operations Liability: Claims arising from your business activities away from the office. If an attorney damages property while visiting a client site or causes injury at a deposition, this coverage responds.
Personal and Advertising Injury: Non-physical harms including defamation, libel, slander, copyright infringement in advertising, and invasion of privacy.
General liability also covers legal defense costs for covered claims, regardless of whether you’re ultimately found liable.
Why Your Firm Needs GL Coverage
Many law firms assume professional liability is sufficient, but gaps exist:
- Lease Requirements: Most commercial landlords require tenants to carry general liability coverage
- Client Contracts: Corporate clients often require proof of CGL before engagement
- Premises Risks: High-traffic reception areas and conference rooms create slip-and-fall exposure
- Off-Site Activities: Client visits, depositions, and court appearances extend your liability footprint
General liability is affordable foundational coverage that every law firm should maintain as part of a comprehensive risk management program.
