Frisco, TX asked in Libel & Slander for Texas

Q: Can I sue if I am facing slander in Texas.

One of my acquaintances is calling people around and spreading slander about me. He has called me a prostitute in front of a witness. I want to know my legal options against this person and how to put a stop to it immediately. I thought of getting an injunction or cease and desist order but as per the Texas legal system, I dont know whats appropriate. This has caused me immense emotional distress. I have nightmares and I am under anti depressant and anti anxiety medication. I am also going to therapy. I need to take some action against the defendant who is spreading slander.

Related Topics:
2 Lawyer Answers
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
Answered
  • Frisco, TX
  • Licensed in Texas

A: Yes, you can sue. You will need to prove that someone actually believed the slanderous statement made about you and took some sort of adverse action that caused you to sustain damages. For example, if an employer heard and believed the slanderous statement and fired you, you likely could recover lost wages.

Because this type of claim isn't usually covered by insurance, expect that you will have to pay an attorney a reasonable hourly fee to pursue such an action on your behalf. Whether that makes sense or not depends on the amount of damages you can prove.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
Answered
  • Little Neck, NY

A: False and harmful statements could be considered slander. But as a practical matter, pursuing such a matter could involve paying an attorney legal fees - win or lose. Good luck

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.