Can you sue a co-worker if they posted a picture of you on the company handbook that was taken in a social setting and not work appropriate?
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Can you sue a co-worker if they posted a picture of you on the company handbook that was taken in a social setting and not work appropriate?
My Team Leader took a picture of me while bowling. She has me pose holding 2 bowling balls in front of my chest. I was not comfortable doing this but let her take it anyway. She ended up sending it to the editor of a handbook that comes out monthly for all of HR to see on a global basis. This has made me upset and looks bad and is not the impression that I want people to have of me. My HR department is not helping.
Asked on June 11, 2011 under Personal Injury, Nevada
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You may be able to sue the co-worker for invasion of privacy. One type of invasion of privacy is appropriation of one's name or likeness for commercial purposes. This occurred when your picture without your consent, was sent to the editor of the handbook that is distributed worldwide.
Your lawsuit for invasion of privacy could also include a second cause of action (claim) for negligent infliction of emotional distress. Negligence is based on the failure to exercise due care (that degree of care that a reasonable person would exercise under the same or similar circumstances) to prevent foreseeable harm. In order to prove negligence, you would have to prove breach of the duty of due care (breach occurred when the co-worker had the photo published without your consent), actual cause which means but for the photo being published would you have suffered emotional distress? If the answer is no, you have established actual cause. You will also have to prove proximate cause which means were there any unforeseeable intervening events which would relieve your co-worker of liability? If the answer is no, you have established proximate cause.
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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