To state a claim for defamation under Maryland law, a plaintiff must allege (1) that “the defendant made a defamatory statement to a third person,” (2) that “the statement was false,” (3) that “the defendant was legally at fault in making the statement,” and (4) that “the plaintiff suffered harm.” Lindenmuth v.
To succeed in a claim for punitive damages, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant's conduct was characterized by “actual malice.” This means that the plaintiff must prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that the defendant acted with evil intent, ill will, or a deliberate intent to harm.
First Exception. —Imputation of truth which public good requires to be made or published. —It is not defamation to impute anything which is true concerning any person, if it be for the public good that the imputation should be made or published. Whether or not it is for the public good is a question of fact.
Under Maryland law, a defamatory statement is one that “tends to expose a person to public scorn, hatred, contempt or ridicule, thereby discouraging others in the community from having a good opinion of, or from associating or dealing with, that person.” Batson v.
§ 5-105. Assault, libel, or slander actions An action for assault, libel, or slander shall be filed within one year from the date it accrues.
Slander of title only arises when an individual makes statements that he or she knows are false or makes statements that he or she knows might be false with the intent to harm the victim.
In Maryland, for most civil actions you have a period of three years after the act which caused you the harm to file a lawsuit. However, by law some types of cases have a different limitation period. For example, the limitation period for assault, libel, or slander is one year.
In Maryland, to win a slander or libel lawsuit, public figures must prove the existence of actual malice on the part of the defendant. Private figures, however, only have to prove negligence on the part of the defendant.