Chicago personal injury lawyers - Article

Libel and Slander

Libel and slander are the two most common defamation lawsuits. They are false statements that injure someone’s reputation and expose them to public contempt, hatred, ridicule, or condemnation. If the false statement is published in print or via broadcast media like radio or TV, the defamation is called libel. If the false statements are only spoken, then it is called slander.

In many cases, people emphasize that “truth is the perfect defense against libel.” This is not supported by what goes on in the courts in many instances. Truth is a very good defense. It may prove an unshakable defense if an individual has the funds to pay lawyers to defend it.

There are a variety of types of defamatory statements. The common types are:

• Statements which make a claim regarding a person committing a crime
• Statements which imply an individual has an infectious or loathsome disease
• Statements which injure a person with respect to their office, trade, or business
• Statements which impute some lack of moral dignity

Defamation is an untrue statement which can cause an individual to be held in contempt or ridicule which as a result causes damages. Libel is a defamatory statement made in writing, while slander is made orally. When a person has said something that was offensive, it may cross the offended party’s mind that maybe the offender was guilty of defamation.

Even if a statement made fits into one of the categories, which are not all inclusive, the statement is not defamatory if it is true. Truth is something of an absolute defense in defamation cases. There are a variety of other defenses in defamation lawsuits.

Contact a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured by a statement that someone has made, contact the Chicago personal injury lawyers of Friedman & Bonebrake at 312-466-8200 to schedule your initial consultation.