I stupidly repeated gossip I had been told 4 years ago yesterday to the nurse at my G.P's, the gossip was about the practice manager, the conversation was supposedly just between the nurse and myself, I asked her not to repeat it....she repeated it to the practice manager, who then rang me and has threatend to sue me for defamation unless I write her a letter of appology which she intends to show my G.P, and the Dr who runs the After Hours surgery I attend at times, my husband will not let me give her the letter as he is worried that she then has proof to use to take me to court, I am on a disability pension, my husband is on a carers pension, I am so scared she will take what little we have, I know what I did was wrong, and I have apologized profusly, maybe she just wants to humiliate me in front of my Dr to teach me a lesson, I don't know what to do, should I see a lawyer and get them to send her a letter on my behalf, please help me, I feel ill from this, I am sorry for gossiping.
2007-03-27 14:19:19 · 11 answers · asked by The Boss 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Do not stress!!! Deformation of character is something almost impossible to take to court. It will cost the nurse a lot of money and legal aid will help you if you are on a pension. I suggest you speak to them anyways but do not give her this letter. she is only trying to make a fool of you. The joke is on her. It will cost up to20,000 to take you to court and it will be in small claims. It will take up to 7 years for the case to be heard and its a waste of time. if it was only you and her having the conversation she cant do anything as there are no witnesses. Dont let it bother you anymore... Hold your head high, laugh in her face and wish her luck. If you live in Australia contact legal aid, its a free legal service.
2007-03-27 14:26:58 · answer #1 · answered by unoirok 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you told the nurse something like, "I heard that...", then you did not slander her. You made it clear that you were repeating what you heard. If what you said is true, you cannot be sued, either. Truth is the ultimate defense. If you said, "Did you know that...", then you can be sued if it isn't true. If what you said was obviously a joke, or obviously not true, like saying that the woman eats fetuses for breakfast, for instance, that is also not slander.
EDIT: Just about every preceding answer is wrong. It doesn't matter how many times you say something; once is enough. It doesn't matter if you heard it from someone else, unless you make that clear when YOU say it. Hearsay is when you try to repeat in court what someone else said (what you said, in this case) without the original source being present in court (you or the nurse). If the nurse is in court, either of you can repeat what she said to you. I'm assuming that you live in England, but in America, it costs about $100 to sue someone, and if you lose, you'd have to pay the cost of filing along with any judgment.
2007-03-27 14:28:11 · answer #2 · answered by normobrian 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on the gossip. Gossip being spread around the office is really quite common and thus a difficult thing to receive compensation for. However, if it was something serious that could damage her reputation at her job and cost her employment, she could sue if she could prove that the gossip was untrue.
If I were you, I would bring it to your supervisor's attention first. See where they stand and then proceed. I believe really she is running off steam and would not pursue any legal action. Also, she would be hard pressed to show a court of law how your gossip has made irreparable damages to her character.
2007-03-27 14:27:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Slander and libel require in court these proofs:
That you said what it is claimed you said.
That what you said is untrue.
That you knew it was untrue.
That you said it to cause an injury.
That what you said did in fact cause an injury.
That's a lot of proof for her to come up with. She won't win any lawsuit.
Your husband is correct, don't give her any ammunition.
She is protesting too much. That is, if she is reacting like this, the gossip probably is true.
Don't gossip anymore.
2007-03-27 14:30:24 · answer #4 · answered by sonyack 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From what I can see, for slander to apply, there has to be INTENT to damage the person's reputation...and the statement has to be false (and known to be false).
You may actually have a defense in that her threat to sue unless you give her a letter of apology, which she INTENDS to show to others could be construed as a form of extortion / blackmail on her part. Gossip is a simple fact of life and this person seems to be taking it WAY beyond the limits of reason.
Good luck
The Warlock
2007-03-27 14:28:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
both im only 12 but im taking the amendments and law in class. Libel and Slander are not tolerated. You can be sued high amounts with that. If teh victim is of high class like celeberties or the president charges willeither be lowered or not be pressed at all. Im sure he will get ver a sad gossip but....if hes very angry...he may sue you cuz we live in america >.<
2007-03-27 14:25:12 · answer #6 · answered by andrew k 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ignore her. She has no proof other than hearsay. Nothing is in writing so keep it that way, and don't admit to anything.
Hearsay is when somebody says that somebody else said something, and is not admissable in court. In this case, the nurse said that you said that somebody else said... Now how ridiculous is all this? Tell the practice manger to leave you alone or you will sue for harrassment and threats.
2007-03-27 14:26:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I do see how repeating what someone else said. If you only did it once..slander is when you go out of your way to make sure you bring down someone by lying about them to everyone and everywhere
2007-03-27 14:22:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can talk to a lawyer and tell them what was said and what he said to you on the phone. he will tell you if you need to worry. most can be consulted for free the first time. just be careful from now on about what you say to whom and if it isnt about you or yours then refrain from speaking it. you will save a lot of head aches that way
2007-03-27 14:30:33 · answer #9 · answered by wlfbelcher 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love your heart...we all make mistakes. Best thing is to leave this at the feet of Christ. Jesus states: "take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart." Listen to your husband, he is wise...no letter....I would talk it over with a christian attorney too. God Bless!
2015-03-28 17:44:52 · answer #10 · answered by Pocahontas R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋