Do You Believe You Have a Defamation Claim?

In the business and professional world, your reputation is everything. When someone intentionally damages your reputation, the impact on your personal and professional life can be substantial. When the actions of another rise to the level of defamation, you may have a legal claim. At Joseph Kelly Levasseur, Esquire, I represent clients in defamation claims in Manchester, New Hampshire, and the surrounding areas.

Elements Required For a Defamation Claim in New Hampshire

Every false statement or opinion stated as fact does not cause damage to someone’s reputation. Certain conditions must be met to bring a defamation lawsuit. New Hampshire, like most states, has laws in place to protect people from defamation.

The conditions that must be present for a defamation claim include:

• A false statement: It must be shown that the defendant made an untrue statement of fact about the plaintiff.
• Publication or distribution: The false statement was broadcast or published to the public.
• Evidence of harm: The untrue statement caused material harm.

If any of these conditions are not present, you will not have a viable case for defamation. The legal remedies for a defamation claim include monetary compensation for the harm that was caused by the statements. This could be monetary compensation for the harm to your reputation, emotional distress and other economic and noneconomic damages, depending on the specifics of your case. Due to the complexities of this area of law, it is best to have an experienced Manchester defamation lawyer explain how New Hampshire law applies to your situation.

Types of Defamation Claims

Most people think of celebrities and politicians when discussing defamation. However, defamation claims can arise in the context of employment in a few ways. While these situations may not get the attention garnered by celebrities or royalty, professional reputations can be seriously harmed by vindictive employers or former employers.

The different types of defamation claims include:

• Slander: Spoken defamation, such as on television or the radio
• Libel: Written defamation, including words in print, images and online statements
• Defamation per se: Harmful statements that inherently damage a person’s reputation, such as calling someone a criminal
• Defamation per quod: Statements that cause harm that may not be readily apparent to the average person

I can help you determine if your situation meets the legal definition of defamation and advise you about how to proceed. I have represented victims of slander, libel and defamation for more than 20 years and enjoy helping clients restore their reputations and hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.