Examples of Slander

Being the victim of a vicious lie that causes other individuals to think negatively about you can be a devastating event. Whether it is a false rumor regarding your business, your family, your health or your personal character, defamation can result in serious emotional, life-changing injuries. If you or someone you know has experienced such injuries, you may be eligible to recover compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit.  

An experienced personal injury attorney can take legal action against the person(s) responsible for such damages in a “defamation of character” suit, which generally includes slander and libel. 

What is Slander and Libel?

Slander and libel both refer to the communication of a false statement, that is implied or stated to be factual, that may give an individual, business, product, group, government or nation a negative reputation. In order for it to be considered slander or libel, the allegations must be heard or seen by another person(s). 

Examples of Slander

Slander refers to a malicious, false and defamatory (unfixed) spoken statement or report that causes intentional harm to another’s reputation. In order to recover damages, however, the plaintiff must be able to prove he/she suffered financial losses. For example: 

• If Adam told Joe (a potential business partner) you were a cheater and couldn’t be trusted and Joe, as a result, decided not to work with you, you could sue Adam for the financial loss of Joe’s business; however you could not sue for damages to your reputation. 

Slander “Per Se”

Slander “per se” is a form of defamation in which the allegations are presumed to cause damage to the plaintiff. Although there is no permanent record of slander, in cases of slander per se, the plaintiff doesn’t have to prove financial loss. Examples of slander “per se” include: 

• Attacks on an individual’s professional character and ability to perform
• Allegations that a married individual has cheated on his/her spouse
• Allegations that a person in infected with a sexually transmitted disease
• Allegations that an individual has committed a crime 

Examples of Libel

Libel refers to written words or images that are printed in a fixed medium such as a magazine, newspaper, letter, email, picture or a radio or TV broadcast. For example: 

• If a newspaper publishes a wire service story about an athlete (in which the athlete is accused of taking steroids) without checking the facts and the athlete can prove the information published is false, he can sue for libel. In this type of situation the athlete can sue, not only for financial losses, but also for damage to his reputation, because he was defamed in front of potentially hundreds or thousands of readers.  
  
  
• Another example of libel would be if a radio announcer read a press release stating a celebrity was caught using drugs, cheating on his/her spouse, or engaging in another illegal or immoral act, without checking the facts first. 

In addition to knowingly stating or writing a false statement with the intention of damaging one’s image, legal action can also be taken against an individual(s) who disclose private facts about another person, business or entity with the intention of harming them. In cases that deal with privacy issues, truth cannot be used as defense. 

Get Legal Help

If you feel you have been the victim of libel or slander, contact us today to speak with a qualified personal injury attorney who will evaluate your situation and fight to protect your rights.