Slander Without Proof In Virginia
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Similarly, if the statement is true, it cannot be defamatory, even if it harms your reputation. In Virginia, you have one year from the date of publication of the defamatory statement to file a lawsuit for libel or slander. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to pursue legal action.
The Vital Time Limit In defamation law, timing is crucial. Both libel and slander claims must be initiated within 12 months from the date of the statement's publication.
Your reputation must suffer harm — The false and defamatory statement at issue must actually damage the reputation of the subject of the statement to support a lawsuit for defamation. The burden is on the plaintiff (the person bringing the lawsuit) to prove such damage — often a difficult task.
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.
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.
Slander, defamation and libel are all treated the same in Virginia. Defamation is a false statement of fact published or communicated to another person that causes injury to the reputation of the subject of the statement. Truth is an absolute defense to a defamation law suit.
