To state a claim for defamation in Florida, a plaintiff must allege that (1) the defendant published or said a false statement; (2) about the plaintiff; (3) to a third party; and (4) the falsity of this statement caused injury to the plaintiff. The resulting injury can be to one's reputation or financial harm.
Slander means defamation from verbal utterances and verbal speech. In Florida, Defamation cases have a two-year statute of limitation, which means, that a defamation claim must be brought forth within two years from the date of the publication. This is codified under Florida Statute 95.11(4)(g).
§ 768.73(1)(a) (2025).) Because defamation per se causes obvious reputational harm, in some cases Florida law might award you "presumed" damages. Presumed damages typically are nominal—$1 or $100, for instance—and can be awarded even if you can't prove any economic or noneconomic losses.
Slander means defamation from verbal utterances and verbal speech. In Florida, Defamation cases have a two-year statute of limitation, which means, that a defamation claim must be brought forth within two years from the date of the publication. This is codified under Florida Statute 95.11(4)(g).
To prove defamation, a plaintiff generally must show: • A false statement purporting to be fact; • Publication or communication of that statement to a third person; • Fault amounting to at least negligence; and • Damages – that is, some harm caused to the plaintiff's reputation.
Knowingly publishing a lie about another person would be libel if that lie damages, or some harm caused to the reputation of the person or entity who is the subject. If the damaging lie was spoken rather than written, then it would be slander.
To prove defamation, a plaintiff generally must show: • A false statement purporting to be fact; • Publication or communication of that statement to a third person; • Fault amounting to at least negligence; and • Damages – that is, some harm caused to the plaintiff's reputation.
In many cases, the harassment remains verbal. However, as long as the victim faces disruption to their ability to work safely, any action could fall under the category of harassment. Needless to say, rumors and slander attack the reputation of an individual and can make it difficult or even impossible to work safely.
In Florida, defamation is generally defined as a publication of false statements that directly and approximately result in an injury to another. Under Florida law, defamation includes both libel and slander. Libel is a written publication of false statements that cause injury to the victim.
If convicted of defamation, the defendant is charged with a first degree misdemeanor for which he or she must serve up to 1 year in jail. Florida is one of the only states for which defamation remains a crime. With that said, it is important to exercise caution and decorum on internet platforms, online and in writing.