Can I sue a co-worker for slander?
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Can I sue a co-worker for slander?
A co-worker went to my boss and said I was trying to buying drugs on company time. This is not true. The co-worker said a third party (a customer of mine) told him that I was trying to buy his oxycontin from him. This co-worker has a grudge against me because of a demotion he received; he blames me for it. Also, the same customer involved is involved in a dog bite case with me; his dog bit me at his home while I was on the job.
Asked on August 25, 2011 Maine
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You could sue the co-worker and the customer for defamation. Slander is spoken defamation. Defamation is a false statement made with knowledge of its falsity communicated to a third party, and the false statement is injurious to your reputation.
The customer's statement was defamatory and was communicated to a third person, the co-worker. The customer is liable for defamation. The co-worker is liable for defamation because one is liable for defamation for repeating a defamatory statement which occurred when co-worker made the statement to your boss.
Since the defamatory statement imputes characteristics incompatible with your profession, you can recover general damages for slander in this case. General damages consist of a monetary amount to compensate you for the injury to your reputation and include items such as mental distress, physical illness, medical expense, and loss of friends and associates resulting from the defamation.
You would file one lawsuit for defamation naming both the customer and co-worker as defendants. You will need to file your lawsuit prior to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or you will lose your rights forever in the matter.
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