City of La Fayette, AL asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Contracts for Alabama

Q: Is being denied your contractual obligations of payment is defamation or discrimination?

2 Lawyer Answers
James L. Arrasmith
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A: Being denied the contractual obligations of payment, such as not receiving the agreed-upon compensation for services or goods, is primarily a breach of contract issue. It means that one party is not fulfilling their agreed-upon terms within the contract.

Defamation and discrimination are different legal concepts. Defamation involves making false statements that harm someone's reputation. It's about the spread of harmful untruths, not about failing to meet contractual obligations. For a claim to be considered defamation, there must be a false statement presented as a fact, communicated to a third party, that causes injury to the reputation of the person or entity it concerns.

Discrimination, on the other hand, refers to unfair or unequal treatment based on specific characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, or disability. If the denial of payment is based on discriminatory reasons, it could potentially be a case of discrimination. However, this would require evidence that the denial is due to one of these protected characteristics.

In your situation, if you believe that the non-payment is a result of discriminatory practices or is accompanied by defamatory statements, it might be advisable to consult with a lawyer who can assess the details of your case. They can help determine if there are grounds for a discrimination or defamation claim in addition to the breach of contract. Remember, each case is unique and should be evaluated based on its specific facts and circumstances.

A: It could be breach of contract, as a general guess from the brief facts of the post. For it to be the other things you mention, discrimination or defamation, additional elements would need to be proven. Good luck

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