Slander Lawyers & Libel Lawyers — Boca Raton, FL

Slander and libel lawyers handle cases involving false statements published to a third party that damage the reputation of a person, company, or brand. There are also instances of defamation of character in the workplace.

Slander vs. Libel — What Is the Difference?

Slander covers a spoken false statement — including verbal statements made in person or online, such as on social media. Libel covers a written false statement, including published articles, social media posts, and online reviews. Both fall under the broader category of defamation law. In a defamation claim, the party making the false statement usually acts with negligence, though in some cases the statement is made with malicious intent.

Defamation Is a Civil Offense, Not Criminal

A person cannot be sentenced to jail for defamation — it is a tort and therefore a civil offense. However, a defendant can be ordered to pay the plaintiff damages for emotional distress and losses resulting from the false statement, including injury to employment, career, or business. If the defendant acted with malice or intent to defraud, the court may also award additional punitive damages.

What Slander and Libel Lawyers Must Prove

Both plaintiff and defense attorneys in defamation cases focus on the same four core facts — the plaintiff's attorney works to prove them, and the defense works to disprove them:

1. A statement was made
2. The statement was false
3. The statement was published to a third person
4. The statement caused injury to the plaintiff's reputation, entitling them to damages

Attorney Fees in Slander and Libel Cases

Attorneys filing a lawsuit for slander or libel typically work on a contingency basis — expecting their expenses to be paid from the recovery and receiving a percentage of the net proceeds. Defense attorneys defending a slander or libel claim usually charge by the hour with a retainer in place. Contact The Berman Law Group for a consultation on your defamation matter. Related practice areas include reputation management and privacy law.

Office Locations

Get Directions to a Berman Law Group office using Google Maps.

Boca Raton Office: 3351 NW Boca Raton Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33431. Phone: (561) 338-7594 • Fax: (561) 826-5201

Stuart Office: 789 South Federal Highway, Stuart, FL 34994. Phone: (772) 283-9200 • Fax: (772) 283-9229

Orlando Office: 37 North Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. Phone: (407) 926-6610

Gainesville Office: 805 Northwest 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32601. Phone: (352) 514-3791 • Fax: (561) 826-5201

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