What can I do about defamation at work?
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What can I do about defamation at work?
I am a homeowner association manager. A board president defamed me in an email to my employer. Since that I have been demoted, written up and given a difficult portfolio. The defamatory accusations have hurt my reputation and job status. She stated that I did not represent the company in a professional manner and listed several incidents in which homeowners were not happy with my handling of their issues. I will probably get fired or quit due to this and would like to know my legal resources.
Asked on November 15, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, California
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
You can sue the board president for defamation.
Defamation is a false statement made with knowledge of its falsity communicated to a third person who recognizes the defamatory content and the statement is injurious to your reputation.
Each repetition (publication) of the defamatory statement is actionable in a lawsuit for defamation.
Libel is written defamation.
Slander is spoken defamation.
Your damages (monetary compensation) in a lawsuit for defamation include emotional distress, loss of friends and associates, physical illness (if applicable) . You can also seek punitive damages which are a substantial amount to punish the intentional wrongful act of the board president.
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