A few years ago I told somebody something. He agreed not to tell anybody, yet he did. And of course more people spread this...it wasn't spread like wildfire, but anyway it came back to me today that somebody else knew. I'm worried it could harm me in the future. Can I sue this person for breaking that trust?
2007-05-14 15:42:45 · 5 answers · asked by thematador81 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
No. You don't have it in writing. If this person was telling untruths and you can prove it then you might have a case of slander or liable. This link explains it more in detail>>>http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-defamation-of-character.htm
2007-05-14 15:47:29 · answer #1 · answered by Enigma 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally the writing requirement is only needed in a handful of contracts and secret keeping is not one of them. The only way figuratively it could be done is if you paid him something to keep the secret, some type of consideration is needed for all contracts. Under them circumstances, if there was enough evidence then maybe you could bring suit if you could show the damages. It's an uphill climb to say the least. You would need to show 1. that there was an oral contract, 2. that there was a payment for that performance, 3. that there was a breach. It would be your burden to prove all three. Not going to be very easy. Even if you had a recording of the agreement not to say anything then you still would need that other stuff to form a contract.
Now on the other hand if there was a duty of confidentiality then it would not be a breach of contract, it would be a breach of fidutiary duty. But that does not seem to be the case, those are generally reserved for professionals like doctors, priests etc. Not friends.
2007-05-15 00:56:36 · answer #2 · answered by Damien T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Legally speaking, it should have been in writing and fully notarize. Now, you CAN get evidence that he revealed your secret. First, have a tape recorder secretly hidden somewhere in your clothing yet undetected. Then, ask the few people who know your secret and record what they say about who told them, when and how. Then, confront the person you told your secret. If you can make him confess that he told your secret then you've got your evidence. The case? Probably invasion of privacy... i really don't know.
However, if you can't do what I suggested, just ignore what people say and consider them without basis or just mere gossip. If it affects you in anyway (i.e. work, human rights) then file for a libel case. But hey, if 1 BILLION people say a stupid thing, it is still stupid. Don't let them affect you.
2007-05-14 22:55:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No - it's a rite of passage. We have all told people things that we wish we wouldn't have that were later told to other people. These things embarrass us, incriminate us, hurt us, etc. In fact, someone is probably telling someone something they had promised not to reveal right now. It's just a terrible side effect of growing up and being human . . . learn to keep your business to yourself and you'll be fine. Good luck!
2007-05-14 22:59:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No.
2007-05-15 00:56:22 · answer #5 · answered by bottleblondemama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋