I recently reported suspected child abuse. I am childcare worker and am a madated reporter. I saw the parent mishandle the child. The next day he made the remark to several co-workers that I was a racist. Can I sue for slander?
2006-10-25 13:19:09 · 14 answers · asked by Mary 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
As far as me being a mandated reported. This incident happened in the facility where I work and there was another witness to the situation. The father told three other childcare workers including my boss to tell me that I was a racist because I did call and report him.
2006-10-25 23:02:31 · update #1
In the past I kept his other child when I worked in a classroom. By the way I am an Assistant Director and he asked me one day is I wanted him to sign over temporary custody papers of this child because he couldn't handle him. So why would he say this to my emplyees?
2006-10-25 23:05:18 · update #2
You actually might have to try to prove that you're not racist.
2006-10-25 13:26:44 · answer #1 · answered by MK6 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
U r in the legal field so to speak, I'm surprised u don't know the answer to ur question already. Yes u can sue for slander when someone is maliciously saying something untrue about u that would be detrimental to ur health, ur person, or could cost u ur job. U need witnesses and u need to have heard it ur self or have something sent to u in writing, hearsay just won't do. Unless the person that was told was ur supervisor and he/she is investigating the charge of racism.
As a child abuse case worker u witnessed said infraction against the child why didn't u take action immediately? Then u were within ur rights to protect that child. Anytime after the fact would look as if u r being motivated by other underlying reasons hence the charge of racism from the abusive parent.
U clearly missed the opportunity to make a case against that parent especially when u, the professionally trained protective abuse worker noticed with ur own eyes what that parent had done to their child.
I don't necessarily think u r racist but I do think that u r being vindictive and prejudicial in accusing the parent after the fact with slander. Check ur self and ur motives, ask ur self am I being fair and just to this person and am I looking at this situation objectively as I was trained to do and be. Ur answer should be clear to u better than anyone else. God bless and I hope u resolve this in ur heart first then with whatever measure u deem necessary to do.
2006-10-25 14:16:47 · answer #2 · answered by papabeartex 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Harassment and slander are completely different things! With harassment, you need to contact your local police. Slander is a private matter, and if you want to pursue it you will need an attorney. As to slander, you should know that slander means the publication (telling) of something untrue that harms your reputation. Even if a lie is told, if it doesn't harm your reputation in a material way you won't win. And if what is told happens to be true (even if very private stuff), it is by definition not slander.
2016-05-22 14:07:30 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes; but you may not get anything worth the trouble. It is unlikely you would get enough to cover your lost work to see a lawyer and go to court.
Now if it is a co worker that is another story. If it was a client you should make a report to your supervisor and keep a copy for your own records.
2006-10-25 13:28:59 · answer #4 · answered by my_iq_135 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sue? Sure. You can sue for almost anything. But win? Probably not. You have to prove that you suffered actual damage, which is very difficult. The woman will claim that she was stating opinion, which is a legitimate defense and difficult to overcome.
2006-10-25 13:30:11 · answer #5 · answered by skippomac 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but would be expensive.
Your best bet would be to confront this person and advise him that if he continues talking with your co-workers in a derogatory manner, you will have no other option than to sue for slander and defamation of character.
Best of luck!
2006-10-25 13:24:50 · answer #6 · answered by Sharpae 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Slander is usually reserved for those in the public eye, like politicians You can take him to court but probably wouldn't win. Sorry.
2006-10-25 13:26:13 · answer #7 · answered by grrl 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
.
You bet. There's a chinese woman who came to my nightclub in lower greenwich, and started telling everyone I had sex with her daughter. I snapped about 80 grand from her pocket in a slander case in court.
BIG DOLLARS IN THE MACHINE
2006-10-25 13:21:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, you can sue, but the burden of proof is on you, and it can be hard to prove.
2006-10-25 13:21:27 · answer #9 · answered by orphanannie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't see why you would want to in this case. It would be pointless...extremely hard to prove.
2006-10-25 13:31:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋