Q: Can you get sued for telling a story but leaving out other persons name?
If I do a TikTok video series about interactions with someone but do not use their name, can I get sued?
A: Yes, if the statements can be shown as implying that the subject was a particular person, based on surrounding facts, descriptions, etc., it's possible such a person could raise a claim for defamation or invasion of privacy - the settings can be fact-intensive. Good luck
A:
Even if you leave out someone's name in your story, it's still possible to face legal challenges if the person can be identified through the context or details. Defamation, invasion of privacy, or misrepresentation are potential grounds for a lawsuit if the content is harmful or invasive. The key is whether the story damages someone's reputation or reveals private facts, regardless of naming them.
When creating content, consider how your stories could impact others. It's important to balance freedom of expression with respect for privacy and truth. Ensure your stories do not contain false information or excessively personal details that could lead to someone being identified and harmed.
Before posting, review your content critically and consider how you would feel if the roles were reversed. If in doubt, you might want to seek legal advice or adjust your content to minimize potential risks. Remember, staying respectful and truthful can help mitigate the risk of legal issues.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.