Defamation is damage to a person’s reputation. It can be a cause of great emotional distress in the nature of shame and abandonment by colleagues and friends. Defamation can also cause economic damages, particularly when it is related to a person’s business. There are two forms of defamation. Libel is defamation in writing, but it can also include a broadcast such as a radio broadcast that is oral. Slander is spoken defamation.
Libel is particularly damaging to the reputation of the individual because it can be read by a great number of people. This is particularly true of the most prominent form of libel that we face today, that is libel over the internet.With the broad reach of the internet, defamatory online postings pose a serious threat to your reputation, often through seemingly anonymous posts. Slander is spoken defamation.
The professional handling of a case of defamation is crucial, because there are many defenses to defamation. First and foremost, defamation means a false statement. Truth is a defense. California has statutes for mass media that require demands for retraction. Jury instructions vary as to what must be proved depending upon whether the victim is a public figure or a private figure. There are also the implications of the one year statute of limitations and the single publication rule which applies to defamatory internet postings in California.
If you have been defamed, contact us right away. At Broderick Law we are equipped to deal with the intricacies of claims of defamation in the form of libel and slander.
Contacting A Defamation Lawyer
If you believe you have been defamed, it is crucial that you contact an attorney right away due to the short statute of limitations for defamation in California. Contact us today for a courtesy consultation regarding your situation without charge. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge necessary to help you recover the damages you are due. We will vigorously pursue your claim.
