defamation laws

Defamation laws protect individuals' reputation by addressing false statements that harm their character or standing. If someone makes a false statement about you publicly—either in writing (libel) or spoken (slander)—and it damages your reputation, you may have grounds for a defamation claim. To succeed, you generally must prove the statement was false, made intentionally or negligently, and caused real harm. These laws balance free speech with protecting individuals from false information that can negatively impact their personal or professional lives.