If a person who I have never done business with posts a very negative review about my business on-lin, can I sue them for defamation?
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If a person who I have never done business with posts a very negative review about my business on-lin, can I sue them for defamation?
This review lost me a job for $6000.
Asked on June 21, 2012 under Business Law, Texas
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You can sue for defamation, but since the defamatory statement is about a business, your lawsuit would be for disparagement.
Defamation is a false statement made with knowledge of its falsity communicated to a third person who recognizes the defamatory content and the statement is injurious to reputation.
Libel is written defamation. Slander is spoken defamation.
Your damages for disparagement would be the loss of business and here you have a strong case because you can prove that you lost a specific job.
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