Slander: What Should I Do About Protecting Your Reputation?

With the entire world online today, your reputation is more vulnerable than ever. 

A single false statement said aloud or posted online can spiral quickly, causing personal, professional, and financial harm. 

While the internet has made communication easier, it has also blurred the lines between free speech and defamatory speech. That’s where slander law comes in.

If someone has spoken false and damaging statements about you, you may be wondering: Is this slander? Can I sue? Do I need a lawyer? 

Morgan & Morgan, America’s largest personal injury law firm, can show you everything you need to know about slander, including how it applies to platforms like Facebook, online business reviews, and what steps you should take if your reputation has taken a hit.

If you believe you have a slander claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your specific legal options.

What Is Slander?

Slander is a form of defamation. More specifically, it refers to spoken defamatory statements that are false and harmful to someone's reputation. In contrast, libel refers to written defamation, such as harmful posts or articles published online or in print.

To qualify as slander, a statement must meet the following criteria:

• It was spoken to a third party. Simply thinking or muttering something to yourself isn’t slander. It must be communicated to at least one other person.
• It was false. Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. If the statement is true, it’s not slander—even if it’s unflattering.
• It caused harm. You must be able to show that the false statement caused damage to your reputation, income, mental health, or another measurable aspect of your life.
• It was made without privilege. Some statements are protected, such as those made in court or certain legal proceedings. These are considered “privileged” and are generally immune from defamation claims.
   

Examples of slander can include:

• A coworker falsely accuses you of stealing during a team meeting.
• A neighbor spreads lies at a community event, claiming you're involved in illegal activity.
• A podcast host alleges, falsely and without evidence, that you’re a fraud in your profession.
• Someone calls your clients and falsely claims you’re under investigation for malpractice.
   

These examples share a common thread: they are spoken, false, and damaging.

Is Slander Illegal?

Slander is a civil offense, not typically a criminal one. That means you won’t see someone go to jail for slander, but you can sue them in civil court for monetary damages. 

In rare cases, particularly when slander leads to violence or significant harm, criminal charges may apply, but this is uncommon in the U.S.

Can You Sue for Slander on Facebook?

You can sue for slander on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or any other social media platform, but it depends on how the slander occurred. 

While most slander involves verbal statements, things get complicated on social media. Facebook comments, posts, and stories are written, so they typically fall under libel rather than slander.

However, if someone goes live on Facebook or records a video in which they speak false, damaging claims about you, that’s slander. Likewise, if someone verbally defames you in a Clubhouse room, a Twitter Space, or in a recorded video call that’s shared or discussed in real-time, that can also be considered slander.

Examples of Slander on Facebook (or similar platforms):

• A Facebook Live where someone falsely accuses you of being a scam artist.
• A video call recorded and shared, where you're baselessly accused of a crime.
• A voice message played in a private group chat making slanderous allegations.
   

In these situations, you could have grounds for a slander lawsuit, especially if the statements were heard by others and caused you reputational or financial harm.

Can I Sue Even if the Person Deletes the Post?

Yes. Deleting a post may reduce the damage caused by the post, but it doesn’t protect the poster from being liable for any harm caused by originally making the false post.

The more interesting question is whether you should sue after a post is deleted. The answer depends on how severe the harm was. Severity is usually judged by the monetary relief you can get from a lawsuit.

If the relief you can receive is only a few hundred dollars or less, it probably isn’t worth your time to file a lawsuit. The removal of the post, along with an agreement not to do it again, should be more than enough to resolve your problem.

What if I Don’t Know the Real Name of the Person Slandering Me?

One of the downsides of the internet is that it allows people to act anonymously. When we begin legal action against someone, we can contact Facebook and request contact information for the individual.

If Facebook refuses to comply, we can even subpoena that information. But usually, just filing a lawsuit is enough to get Facebook to provide that information.

Can You Sue for Slander in Business Reviews?

If someone leaves a false spoken review, such as a video review on Yelp, Google, or YouTube, you may have a case for slander.

However, most reviews are written, meaning they fall under libel. That said, the principles are similar: the statements must be false, made publicly, and cause harm to your business.

You may be able to sue for slander (or libel) if:

• A former employee posts a video falsely accusing your business of illegal practices.
• A customer posts a false voice review or testimonial that damages your reputation.
• A competing business spreads verbal rumors about your product quality at a trade event.
   

These kinds of slander can be especially harmful for small businesses, where reputation is everything. In some cases, these defamatory actions can also be considered business disparagement, which is a closely related legal concept.

What Is Reputation Damage, and Why Does It Matter?

Reputation damage refers to harm to your personal or professional reputation caused by false statements. This can manifest in a variety of ways:

• Lost clients or business deals
• Job termination or rescinded offers
• Emotional distress and anxiety
• Lowered social standing in your community
• Financial losses due to canceled contracts or missed opportunities
   

In a slander case, you’ll need to prove damages, which means showing how the defamatory statement directly caused a negative impact. This might include emails from clients cutting ties, screenshots of canceled bookings, or testimony from people who heard the false statements and believed them.

In some cases, slander is considered so serious that you don’t even need to prove damages. This is known as “slander per se.”

What Is Slander Per Se?

Slander per se is a legal doctrine that says some statements are so inherently damaging that harm is assumed. If someone makes any of the following false statements about you, you might not need to prove financial loss:

• Accusing you of a crime
• Claiming you have a contagious or loathsome disease
• Alleging professional incompetence or misconduct
• Accusing you of sexual impropriety
   

For example, if someone falsely claims during a company meeting that you were fired from your last job for embezzlement, you may have a claim for slander per se.

What Should I Do if I’m a Victim of Slander?

If someone has slandered you, taking swift and smart action is key:

1. Document Everything

Record what was said, when, where, and who was present. If the slander occurred on video or in an audio clip, save the file. Eyewitness accounts are especially useful. Reach out to anyone who may have heard the false statement.

2. Gather Proof of Harm

Show how the slander affected you. This could include financial records, emails, DMs, canceled contracts, mental health records, or public statements from others referencing the false claim.

3. Request a Retraction or Correction

In some cases, a cease-and-desist letter or a simple request can stop the damage, but don’t confront the person without legal advice. It could escalate the issue or harm your case.

4. Speak to a Defamation Lawyer at Morgan & Morgan

Consulting with an experienced lawyer is the best way to protect your rights. They’ll assess whether the statement meets the legal definition of slander and whether you have grounds to sue.

Do You Need a Lawyer for a Slander Lawsuit?

Yes. While it’s possible to file a slander lawsuit on your own, defamation cases are notoriously complex and hard to win without legal support. 

An experienced defamation attorney at Morgan & Morgan understands the nuances between slander, libel, and business disparagement. They can help gather evidence and expert testimony to prove damages, and they’ll know how to issue subpoenas for social media records or internal communications.

Also importantly, they can negotiate settlements or represent you in court.
 

At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys fight for everyday people whose reputations have been unfairly destroyed. Whether it’s a malicious gossip campaign or a false video review that cost you your job, we can help.

What Compensation Can I Recover in a Slander Lawsuit?

If your slander lawsuit is successful, you may be entitled to recover damages in several categories:

Actual (Compensatory) Damages

These are meant to reimburse you for real-world losses caused by the slander. Examples include:

• Lost income or business opportunities
• Loss of clients or customers
• Costs of reputation repair (PR or marketing to clear your name)
• Medical or therapy bills (if the slander caused emotional distress)
   

You’ll need to show evidence of these losses, such as financial records, expert testimony, or communications from lost clients.

General Damages

These cover non-economic harm, like:

• Emotional distress
• Anxiety or embarrassment
• Loss of reputation or standing in your community or industry
   

Unlike actual damages, these don’t require precise dollar amounts, but they must be convincingly demonstrated, often through testimony from you, friends, family, or mental health professionals.

Punitive Damages

If the slanderous statement was made with malice or reckless disregard for the truth, a court may award punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate you, but to punish the person who made the false statement and deter similar behavior in the future.

Punitive damages are not awarded in every case. They’re typically reserved for the most egregious conduct.

 

How Long Do You Have to File a Slander Lawsuit?

The statute of limitations for slander varies by state, but in many cases, it’s only one year from the date of the defamatory statement. That means time is of the essence. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to prove your case.

Your Reputation Matters, and We’re Here to Defend It

Slander can leave lasting damage, both emotionally and financially. Whether the false statement came from a bitter ex, a disgruntled employee, or a stranger online, you have legal rights—and you don’t have to fight alone.

At Morgan & Morgan, we believe in justice For the People—not the powerful. If you’ve been slandered and your life has been impacted, you may have a case. Our team has the experience, resources, and dedication to help you seek the compensation you deserve.

Don’t let someone else’s lies define your story. 

Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.