A form of publication which tends to cause one to lose the esteem of the community is defamation. This is injury to reputation. A person can be held liable for the defamation of another. In order to prove defamation, the plaintiff must prove:
- that a statement was made about the plaintiff's reputation, honesty or integrity that is not true;
- publication to a third party (i.e., another person hears or reads the statement); and
- the plaintiff suffers damages as a result of the statement.
Slander is a form of defamation that consists of making false oral statements about a person which would damage that person's reputation. If one spreads a rumor that his neighbor has been in jail and this is not true, the person making such false statements could be held liable for slander.
Defamation which occurs by written statements is known as libel. Libel also may result from a picture or visual representation. Truth is an absolute defense to slander or libel.
Some statements, while libelous or slanderous, are absolutely privileged in the sense that the statements can be made without fear of a lawsuit for slander. The best example is statements made in a court of law. An untrue statement made about a person in court which damages that person's reputation will generally not cause liability to the speaker as far as slander is concerned. However, if the statement is untrue, the person making it may be liable for criminal perjury.
If a communication is made in good faith on a subject in which the party communicating it has a legitimate right or interest in communicating it, this communication may be exempt from slander liability due to a qualified privileged.
The following form letter demands that someone cease making libelous or slanderous statements, or appropriate legal action will be taken.
Washington Cease and Desist Letter for Libelous or Slanderous Statements - Defamation of Character
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How to fill out Cease And Desist Letter For Libelous Or Slanderous Statements - Defamation Of Character?
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FAQ
A cease and desist letter for defamation of character is a legal document that instructs the offender to stop making false, erroneous, and unsubstantiated statements about you. It should detail any statements that are false and demand full retraction. The harmed party should seek full damages for any false statements.
To state a cause of action for defamation, a plaintiff must allege: (1) Falsity; (2) Unprivileged Communication ? Liability requires that the defamation be communicated (?publication? of the defamation); (3) Fault; and (4) Damages.
"In Washington, a defamation plaintiff must show four essential elements: falsity, an unprivileged communication, fault, and damages." Commodore v. Univ. Mech. Contractors, Inc., 120 Wn.
A defamation cease and desist letter is sent to record and report false or erroneous claims that result in the defamation of character in an individual or business entity. The letter should outline the specific statements that were made and how they are affecting the reputation of the person or business.
However, it serves several important legal purposes: Notification of Intent: A cease and desist defamation letter formally notifies the alleged defamer of your intent to take legal action if the defamation does not cease. It serves as a clear warning that legal action may follow.
Defamation Per Se Civil Suits are Permissible in Washington State. As with many states, per se defamation lawsuits are possible in Washington.
To prove prima facie defamation, a plaintiff must show four things: 1) a false statement purporting to be fact; 2) publication or communication of that statement to a third person; 3) fault amounting to at least negligence; and 4) damages, or some harm caused to the reputation of the person or entity who is the subject ...
A defamation case arises when a person or organisation believes their reputation has been damaged by a statement or publication and they take legal action against the person responsible - known as "suing for defamation".
