Public Humiliation: How Character Assassination Falls Under The Jurisdiction Of Personal Injury
People who believe themselves to be of good character and strive to be good parents, good citizens, etc., are the most damaged by nasty rumors. Although the law typically classifies these personal and verbal injuries as libel or defamation of character, very few attorneys are willing to take on such cases. Because of Americans' right to free speech, anyone can say any nasty thing they like about someone and not fear retribution. However, when the maligned feel as though they cannot walk about their neighborhoods without being scrutinized by others, there may be a provable case for assassination of character. Here is how that works.
Proving the Assassin Has Something to Gain
When someone you know assassinates your character, he or she has something to gain. The most common reasons this other person would do such a thing to you are money, attention, power and control. He or she wants something you have, and that is why he or she has publicly attacked and humiliated you. You could spend years trying to figure out what it is this person wants and yielding up everything you have, but it might not be enough. You need the help of an attorney, and maybe even a private investigator.
Securing a Lawyer to Pursue Your Case
Because this other person is attempting to destroy you in some way, it can harm and hurt you emotionally, psychologically and financially. Therefore, you could hire either a general attorney or, better yet, a personal injury lawyer. This other person is assassinating your character, trying to destroy you and hurt you, and that most definitely qualifies as a personal injury. It is a much more dramatic type of personal injury than a slip and fall accident, but it is still an injury, and it is very personal.
What You Can Win If You Sue
You gain back your self-esteem and your character, because you can request that the other person be placed under a gag order never to talk trash about you again. You can feel safe in your home and community, because you can request a restraining order. You can even sue for a monetary amount to compensate you for any psychological counseling you have pursued because of what this other person has done to you. Most of all, you can take back the money, the power and control that was taken from you, and most victims of character assassination feel that that is necessary to feel normal again.
For more information about personal injury cases and defamation of character, contact a firm like Wolfley & Wolfley, P.S.