QUESTION

What monetary value along with apologies can I get on oral defamation/slander?

Asked on Aug 23rd, 2012 on Litigation - Rhode Island
More details to this question:
Robbery took place at mom and popโ€™s store early hours in the morning. I was accused of being accessory of the crime. My photo was posted on the store window and family, friends have seen it. The owner has been avoiding me and now wants to settle.
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22 ANSWERS

Personal Injury Attorney serving Pacific, MO at Melvin G. Franke
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What are your economic damages?
Answered on Jun 13th, 2013 at 2:51 AM

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Bankruptcy Attorney serving Federal Way, WA at Freeborn Law Offices P.S.
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It depends upon how you have been damaged. I would need to know more about the facts of the case.
Answered on Aug 27th, 2012 at 7:53 PM

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William C. Gosnell
Lost income lost business and lost money is your measure of damages. Since your family does not believe you are guilty.
Answered on Aug 26th, 2012 at 11:31 PM

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Criminal Defense Attorney serving Anderson, SC at The David F. Stoddard Law Firm
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If you were slandered, you would be entitled to whatever damages you could prove. If it did not cause you to lose a job, and if your family and friends who saw it didn't think less of you, your damages aren't much. If that is the case, get what you can.
Answered on Aug 26th, 2012 at 11:31 PM

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That is not a question I can answer without more information. Defamation damages depend on how much your reputation in the community was damaged. If no one believed you were the robber nominal damages. If you lost friends and/or business the damages would go up.
Answered on Aug 26th, 2012 at 11:30 PM

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Get several hundred dollars PLUS have them POST an APOLOGY for 90 days on their FRONT DOOR (or window). MOVE ON. You're not going to get much from a "mom and pop" store.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:50 PM

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Tax Attorney serving North Smithfield, RI at The Law Offices of Mark L. Smith
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What ever you think is fair.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:49 PM

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Personal Injury Attorney serving Beverly Hills, CA
Partner at Engelman Law, APC
This may be a case for libel considering it was in writing and was published. You may be entitled to money damages. An "apology" is not a typical remedy in a civil case, but can possibly negotiated by your attorney.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:49 PM

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Ronald A. Steinberg
You have to show a loss of standing in the community.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:49 PM

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Personal Injury Attorney serving Charlotte, NC at Paul Whitfield and Associates P.A.
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You did not say you were innocent. Assuming you are, an accusation of crime is actionable as llibel (in writing) you must prove some actual damage (jobloss for example) Otherwise you might wind up with nominal damages ($!) all up the the jury. You wont likely get big bucks just for hurt feelings. Show some real loss if there is any.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:49 PM

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Criminal Defense Attorney serving Pittsburgh, PA at Law Office of Jeffrey L. Pollock
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One would need way more info to assess this. Has your income been impaired by this? How deep is the owner's pockets, etc.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:48 PM

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Dennis P. Mikko
What was the damage to your reputation? Have you lost employment, friends, etc. as a result? After answering these questions, you may have a clearer picture of your damages. There is no mathematical formula to determine damages. You will have to decide to what extent you have been damaged.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:48 PM

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Criminal Defense Attorney serving Roseville, CA at Chastaine | Jones
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That depends on a lot of factors. If your serious about pursuing this you should get an attorney.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:48 PM

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Child Custody Attorney serving Malvern, AR at Law Office of Gregory Crain
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Ask for a reasonable amount.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:47 PM

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"Settle"? Meaning you've sued the people who slandered you? If so you need to ask your lawyer for that advice since they are the one's who know the facts of your case. As for a lawyer on this forum being able to value your case, we can't do it without knowing more. And why would you think a lawyer should just give you their opinion for nothing about the value of a case? What do you do for a living? If you were a plumber would it be alright for me to ask you to fix my sink without getting paid? If not, then why is alright to ask lawyers to? Hire a lawyer and then follow their advice.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:47 PM

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Personal Injury โ€” Plaintiff Attorney serving Taylor, MI at Downriver Injury & Auto Law
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Cases are very difficult to pursue because you will to be unable to show damages. Were you fired from your job? Did you lose money anywhere? You are all considerations when you are looking at damages.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:47 PM

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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney serving Syracuse, NY at Andrew T. Velonis, P.C.
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It's only slander if they knew that it was untrue. From what you describe, it sounds like a mistake. How about if he puts a poster of you up on the store window with a banner "Customer of the Year" and keeps it there twice as long as the original picture, plus a case of beer.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:47 PM

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Appellate Practice Attorney serving Bloomfield Hills, MI at Law Office of William L. Spern
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Hard to say how it affects you given the minimal facts. Why not do a Google search and see if any other cases similar to your that settled. They may give you an idea of what the case might be worth.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:47 PM

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Personal Injury Attorney serving Indianapolis, IN at Bernard Huff
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You should consult with a plaintiff's lawyer who handles defamation cases for specific legal advice, including an evaluation and settlement of your case/claim.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:46 PM

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Transportation Attorney serving Mamaroneck, NY at Palumbo & Associates, PC
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You can recover your economic damages. How much money did you lose due to his slander. If you lost nothing that is what you are entitled to - 0.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:45 PM

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Keven A. McKenna
If a jury thinks it is a defamation, it can award compensatory and punitiive damages. Do not get your hopes up.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:45 PM

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Plaintiff Animal Bites Attorney serving Missoula, MT at Bulman Law Associates PLLC
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That would be $1,000.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2012 at 3:45 PM

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