Up To $500,000 Or More Can Be Awarded For A Defamation Settlement
When ‘defamation’ has occurred, it means that someone has spoken or written a false statement about you that has caused you harm.
Today, the wild world of the internet has made it easier than ever for people to say whatever they want about anyone. And with many social media sites being an open and public forum, there’s really no end to the danger posed by defamatory statements.
If you feel that your reputation has been damaged by a disparaging, untrue comment made by someone, and if you feel that this comment has caused damage to your life, you may be able to file a defamation lawsuit to recover your damages and losses.
Here’s what you need to know.
How Much Can You Make With A Defamation Lawsuit?
In one example, a false remark on Facebook posted back in 2015 resulted in a $500,000 settlement. According to news sources, the general manager of a radio station sued another person over a comment posted on a social media website. The lawsuit claimed defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
According to reports, the nature of the post was the implication that the plaintiff had gotten drunk and caused the death of their own child. This implication was wrong. The plaintiff had lost a child in a gun accident back in 1976. But she had no involvement in the accident.
This may seem like a lot of money for a defamation case over a comment online. But it just goes to show how seriously the legal system takes obviously malicious and destructive defamatory statements.
The plaintiff was awarded $250,000 in actual damages and $250,000 in punitive damages.
How To Know If You Should File A Defamation Lawsuit
With so many people posting online nowadays, there’s a lot of mud being slung around. How do you know if you should actually file a suit, and how do you know if the comment isn’t ‘defamatory’ enough to hold up in court?
The first clue comes from the definition of the term ‘defamation.’
“The action of damaging the good reputation of someone; slander or libel.”
Here are some questions to ask yourself that may help you to determine if your case is, indeed, a valid claim for defamation.
- The statement needs to have been viewed by a third party (or parties).
- The statement needs to have been false. If it is true, even if it’s damaging, there’s no possibility for a defamation case.
- The statement needed to have been offered as a fact, not an opinion.
- The statement must have injured your reputation.
- The statement must not be subject to any sort of privilege which may shield the poster/speaker from liability or legal action.
As long as the answer to at least most of these questions is a yes, then you may want to talk to a defamation lawyer about the possibility of starting a case.
I Can’t Afford An Attorney – What Should I Do?
This is a common concern for people who don’t have a ton of money just sitting around. But rest assured, it doesn’t cost anything to reach out and see if you may have a case. Sharing the details and facts of the case with an attorney is the best way to figure out how to move forward. Your lawyer can outline the steps that need to be taken if you want to file a lawsuit and gain access to the compensation that you’re rightfully owed.
Don’t let defamation, libel, or slander ruin your good name. Talk to a defamation attorney today, and claim compensation for damages, losses, and wrongdoing suffered.
