Help for the Pain

If there is one thing you can count on in life it is the fact that people will always talk. Part of being social and interacting with others often means that your name will be brought up as a topic of conversation. However, when friendly chatter turns into something more downgrading and negative, and someone starts to spread lies about you, the things people say can cause you a lot of personal strife. When comments are so false and you get so much negative attention as a result that it affects your career, wages, or employment, you may be entitled to compensation in a personal injury claim known as defamation of character. Here are a few of the most common questions concerning defamation of character.

How can you prove that someone's comments caused you harm financially?

It is easy to file defamation as a personal injury claim, but the difficult task is proving that what was said hurt you financially. This may be done by showing evidence that your financial state changed as a result of certain statements. For example, if you were terminated from your employment because someone said you were a sexual predator, you will have to obtain statements from your employer that show clear reasoning that coincides with your belief.

What does the term actual malice refer to?

In cases involving someone who is well-known or famous, it may have to be proven that the person who printed or spoke false information did so with malicious intent. This means that the person put the information out into the public specifically to cause you harm personally.

Aren't defamation cases only for famous people?

It is true that defamation cases are common amongst those in the public eye, but this is only because their public reputation is so closely intertwined with their career. The media is constantly digging to find information about famous people to attract more readers. However, even if you are not well-known, you can still sue for defamation of character if you have proof that what someone had to say has harmed you financially.

What is the difference between libel and slander?

Libel is a form of defamation that comes in written or printed form. This could be false printed articles in a newspaper or magazine, photos of ill repute, or even statements online. Slander is defamation through spoken falsehoods or statements. 

Sticks and stones may be the only way to break you physically, but words thrown out into society against you can cause a lot more harm. Make sure if you feel you have been the victim of slander or libel, you talk to a personal injury lawyer to find out if you could qualify for compensation.