Statements made by employers and colleagues can have a significant impact on your job prospects, earning potential, and more. If a colleague or employer has made a false statement that is negatively affecting your employment opportunities, you may have grounds to file a defamation claim or lawsuit in California.
For more information, review your case with an Orange County defamation attorney at JML Law. We’ll explain how you can proceed, and we’ll offer aggressive representation if you decide to work with us.
What Is Defamation in Orange County, California
Workplace defamation in California refers to a false statement made about an employee that harms their reputation or causes them to be viewed unfavorably by their employer or colleagues. The false statement can be either spoken or written, and it can be made by an employer, a coworker, or a third party.
There are two types of workplace defamation in California, which are:
- Slander: Slander refers to oral or spoken statements that harm an employee’s reputation. Examples of slander in the workplace include spreading rumors, making derogatory comments, or falsely accusing an employee of misconduct.
- Libel: Libel refers to written or printed statements that harm an employee’s reputation. Examples of libel in the workplace include writing a negative performance review, sending an email that defames an employee, or publishing a false statement on social media.
In order to prove workplace defamation in California, the employee must show that the statement was false, that it was communicated to a third party, and that it caused harm to the employee’s reputation or resulted in a loss of job opportunities.
Workplace defamation can have a serious impact on an employee’s career, causing them to be viewed unfavorably by their employer or colleagues, and leading to a loss of job opportunities. It can also cause emotional distress, and can negatively impact an employee’s mental and physical health.
Employers in California have a legal obligation to provide a safe and healthy working environment, which includes protecting employees from defamation. An employee who has been defamed in the workplace has the right to seek legal action against the employer, the coworker or the third party who made the false statement.
Compensation Available in an Orange County Defamation Case
In a workplace defamation case in California, the types of compensation available to the employee, also known as the plaintiff, may include:
- Economic damages: This includes compensation for any financial losses suffered by the employee as a result of the defamation, such as lost wages, lost benefits, and lost job opportunities.
- Non-economic damages: This includes compensation for emotional distress, mental anguish, and damage to the employee’s reputation.
- Punitive damages: If the employer or the person who made the defamatory statement acted with malice or with a reckless disregard for the employee’s rights, the plaintiff may be entitled to punitive damages. These damages are meant to punish the employer or the person who made the defamatory statement and to deter similar conduct in the future.
- Reinstatement: If the employee was wrongfully terminated as a result of the defamation, they may be able to seek reinstatement to their previous position or to a similar position.
Contact an orange County Defamation Attorney
If you believe you have a valid defamation case, meet with an attorney at JML Law to learn more about your legal options. We may help you address unfair harm to your reputation. Get started today by contacting us online or calling us at 818-610-8800.
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