Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Nationwide
Defamation is the communication of false statements that may negatively impact a person’s reputation, personal life and career.
The Philadelphia attorneys at Golomb & Honik aggressively represent victims of defamation from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and throughout the United States. If you have suffered defamation of character, we may be able to help you hold the responsible party accountable, pursue compensation, and restore your dignity and reputation.
Types of Defamation
With the increasing reach of the Internet and social media, the forums for defamation have also expanded. However, the means of defaming someone fall into two categories:
- Libel
- Slander
Libel entails false and harmful statements made in print, and may apply to the misuse of photographs or written statements made in articles, blog posts, e-mails, letters and business documents among other printed and posted items.
Slander is defamatory speech and can occur in private conversations, meetings, online videos, radio and television broadcasts, and other forums in which false statements are spoken.
Harmful Effects of Defamation
Defamation may be the result of negligent or deliberately hurtful false statements, and its far-reaching effects can include:
- Damaged business relationships
- Diminished capacity to earn a living
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Fractured personal relationships
It is important to distinguish defamation from opinion. Although negative opinions may lead to similarly adverse effects, opinions are protected under the First Amendment as long as they do not imply a false statement is objective fact.
Establishing Defamation
Proving defamation requires establishing a number of elements including:
- The public communication of a false statement of fact
- That the statement is false
- That the communication of this statement is not protected by privilege
- That the communication of this statement is harmful to the plaintiff
- That the accused was negligent or intentional in making the damaging statement
Demonstrating a false statement of fact is key in defamation lawsuits. A false statement of fact is a statement that can be proven false but which a reasonable person could interpret as fact in the given context.
If you believe you were a victim of slander or libel, please contact the experienced defamation attorneys at Golomb & Honik. We are proud to represent clients from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and nationwide.
