What does defamation suit mean?

In very basic terms, defamation occurs when someone makes a false statement about you, causing harm to your reputation. Defamation can form the basis of a civil lawsuit, meaning you can sue the person who made the defamatory statement, and can recover compensation for your damages.

What are the different types of defamation?

There are two main types of defamation: libel, or written defamation, and slander, or verbal defamation.

What makes something defamatory?

In general, a defamatory statement is a false statement of fact that is negligently or intentionally communicated or published to a third party, and that causes injury or damage to the subject of the statement. Libel and slander are different types of defamation.

What is considered defamation of character?

What is defamation? Defamation is defined as an unlawful publication of a statement made by a person (“defamer”) about another person (“defamed”). Publication generally refers to instances where a third party hears or reads the statement. The statement causes harm to the defamed’s good name, reputation and dignity.

What defines defamation of character?

Defamation is a false statement which discredits a person’s character or reputation. If it is spoken it is called slander. If it is published in print, or through some form of media, it is called libel. A defamatory statement is one that is communicated to at least one person other than the subject.

What is not considered defamation?

Falsity – Defamation law will only consider statements defamatory if they are, in fact, false. A true statement is not considered defamation in many states.

How difficult is it to win a defamation suit?

When it comes to lawsuits, a defamation case can be very challenging. For example, unless you hire an attorney who works on a pro bono basis, this type of lawsuit can be costly. The reason for this is that to win, there is a lot of fact-finding involved, which often requires the assistance of an expert.