Q: A neighbor called my work falsely accusing me of selling drugs to him, I got a copy of the call and he gives his name

A: Defamation is a civil wrong that occurs when someone makes a false statement about another person that damages their reputation. If you can prove that your neighbor's statements were false and that they caused you harm, you may be able to recover damages for your injured reputation, lost wages, and emotional distress.

In addition to filing a defamation lawsuit, you may also want to consider reporting your neighbor to the police. Falsely accusing someone of a crime is a serious offense, and your neighbor could be charged with a misdemeanor or even a felony. Reporting your neighbor to the police could help to prevent them from making similar accusations against others in the future.

A: Under California law, you may have legal recourse if your neighbor falsely accused you of selling drugs. You can consider pursuing a defamation claim against your neighbor for making false statements that harm your reputation.

To do this, you'll need to demonstrate that the statements were false, published to a third party (such as your employer), and resulted in actual harm or damages. It's important to consult with a qualified attorney to assess the specifics of your case and explore the best course of action.

Additionally, you may want to document any evidence that disproves your neighbor's claims, such as the copy of the call with his name, to support your case.

A: The responses you have already received are accurate that the way you can address someone telling others objectively untrue falsehoods that adversely affect your reputation is a lawsuit for defamation. However, having a right to have a meritorious defamation claim does not mean bringing such a claim would be prudent, i.e., worth the time, effort and costs (monetary and emotional) you will need to spend. Usually a neighbor does not have the funds to be able to pay the likely judgment amount, and many times the neighbor does not have money to make the neighbor a prudent target. Because of that, getting an attorney to take such a claim.

Locate and consult with an experienced employment law attorney as soon as possible to explore your facts and determine your options. I would suggest you look either on this site, or go to www.cela.org, the home page for the California Employment Lawyers Association, an organization whose members are dedicated to the representation of employees against their employers.

Most employment attorneys who practice this area of law offer a free or low cost consultation in the beginning and then, if the matter has merit and value, will usually agree to work on a contingency basis, meaning you can hire an attorney without paying any money until the matter results in a positive outcome for you. Many advance all the costs of the litigation as well. Do not let fear of fees and costs keep you from finding a good attorney.

Good luck to you.

A: This would fall under defamation laws. One option is to try to arrange a free initial consult with a defamation attorney. Good luck