What Can I Do About Defamation of Character on the Internet?

My name is Enrico Schaefer, welcome to Defamation Law Radio. We get this question a lot “What can I do about defamation of character on the internet?”  When you believe you’ve been defamed online, there are a number of different strategies that you can put in place in order to try and either minimize the problem or resolve the problem, but the variables are extensive. 

Internet defamation comes in so many different forms and in so many varieties.  It is propagated across so many types of websites.  So, if you have been the victim, or you believe you’ve been the victim of internet-based defamation of character, the first thing you need to do is do a proper assessment of your situation. 

Play: What Can I Do About Defamation of Character on the Internet?
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With: Enrico Schaefer

Sponsored by: Traverse Defamation Law

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Doctor Defamation: Taking Down Internet Libel & Protecting A Physician's Reputation

Internet defamation attorneys Brian A. Hall and Enrico Schaefer of Traverse Legal, PLC discuss what doctors, lawyers and other professionals should do if someone says or posts something derogatory about them or their business online.

1.  Defamation against Doctors and other professionals is rampant. There is a balance between having a thick skin and protecting you on-line reputation.

2.  Blog posts, comments and doctor review web sites make posting false information as easy as hitting "submit"

3.  A false statement of fact - internet defamation - can cost a doctor or physician big time.  A professional's prime asset is their reputation.

4.  Every doctor should be doing the following things to protect against internet libel and defamation.

    a. Make sure you register domain names and social media vanity URLs incorporating the doctor's name, and variations.

    b. Monitor the internet for problems. Top web sites and doctor rating sites for defamation on the internet include Yelp, ComplaintsBoard, RipOffReport, Google Places listing, DoctorScorecard.com, angieslist.com, ratemds.com, vitals.com, haelthgrades.com

    c. Develop a strategy to deal with false allegations about physicians when problems arise.  An internet lawyer knows how to deal with these problems, strategies for having content removed, posts deleted and potentially removed from the search engines such as Google Yahoo and Bing.

Internet Defamation and Libel Tips for Doctors, Lawyers and other Professionals

Perhaps the most vulnerable people to the phenomena of internet defamation and internet libel are professionals.  If you are a doctor, lawyer, accountant, physician, or other professional dealing directly with consumers, your online reputation is always at risk.  Posting defamatory comments on the internet is as easy as opening a web browser, navigating to a website and entering, and writing a comment or post as an anonymous user.  All too often, the information posted on the internet is factually wrong and diminishes the professional’s reputation.  Here are some tips to protect your online reputation in the Internet Era:

Sue For Defamation of Character and Risk Making Matters Worse?

Defamation of character update:

"Sue for defamation of character" is a common request by clients seeking representation for false and defamatory Internet content, a post, a comment or web site. But filing a defamation or libel lawsuit is more often the last step, rather than the first. Anit-SLAPP laws provide for attorney fees against the Plaintiff if the defamation of character claim does not meet minimum requirements. The Internet can turn against you quickly multiplying one defamatory statement into dozens of publications. Suing for defamation of character is something you may HAVE to do.  But solving the problem without a lawsuit is almost always preferable.

An experienced Defamation / Libel attorney knows that the first step is to assess the claims, get the facts and provide advice to the client on how to proceed.  "Can I sue for defamation of character?" is the first question you should ask your lawyer.  The second step is often a request to the web site host, author of the libelous statement or web site owner, to remove the content. Often times, the web site Terms of Service (TOS) prohibit defamatory statements and the operator of the site will be willing to remove the content upon proposer request, complete with documentation establishing that the statements are false or that the author is not who they say they are.

Before suing for defamation of character, make sure you and your lawyer fully understand the facts and the law. Don't let emotions get the best of you.  Make an informed business decision based on solid legal advice.

Internet Defamation Lawyer | Should I Sue for Defamation of Character?

Before you sue for defamation…many clients who are the victims of defamation of character on the internet ask whether or not they should sue for defamation? 

As with most other areas of law, the first task of an experienced internet defamation lawyer is to perform an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances for each individual client.  No two on-line defamation issues are the same. 

An Internet Defamation Attorney Discusses Online Libel Law Issues

Internet Defamation Attorney Enrico Schaefer of Traverse Legal, PLC discusses what you should do if someone says something derogatory about you or your business online.

• The first thing you have to do is identify who the person is that posted the derogatory or defamatory statement.
• Identify the registrant of the domain name. 
• See if you can determine whether or not the registrant of the domain name is the same person who is operating the website

Statute of Limitations for Internet Slander Cases | Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace

What is the statute of limitations for defamation?

I am an internet defamation attorney.  Every day. I get calls and emails from average people and companies who are defamed on-line with false statements on a web site, blog post or comment somewhere on the internet. Often, it is a disgruntled employee, competitor or adversary who decides to engage in defamation on the internet in order to achieve pay-back or retribution for some perceived grievance.

One of the first questions an attorney will ask is "when was the defamatory statement posted on the internet?" While there are sometimes exceptions, the general rule in most states is that you have one year to bring a lawsuit for defamation from the date of publication. The statute of limitations for internet defamation, libel, or slander cases in most states is one year. While the discovery rule and "re-publication" of the post or comment can extend the statute of limitations is some circumstances, you need to contact a defamation lawyer to understand how long you have to file a claim for libel in court before your time runs out. Continue reading to see the statute of limitations period for each state, including California, Texas, New York, Florida, Michigan and other states.

Internet Defamation Attorney Discusses How To Protect Against Online Slander

Internet Defamation affects more people than just about any other on-line issue, beyond privacy concerns.  As an internet defamation attorney, I get calls and emails every day from people who have been defamed on-line, either on a bulletin board post, blog post, user generated blog comment, FaceBook post, Twitter post or other review web site comment. Their reputation has been attacked and the web page with the defamatory content is being returned as a high search engine result.  Their business associates, competitors, neighbors, church congregation, employees and friends need only Google "their name" or their "company name" to be exposed to hurtful, false and defamatory statements.  An online defamation attorney knows all too well how difficult it is for clients when the internet spews libelous content for everyone to see.  Here are some things you need to know and understand before you decide to sue for defamation, slander, or libel:

Internet Libel Lawsuits | When a Lawsuit Contains Defamatory Statements

Los Angeles Celebrity Attorney Adrianos Facchetti of the Law office of Adrianos Facchetti and Author of the California Defamation Law Blog discusses his experiences as a defamation, libel and slander attorney for both plaintiffs and defendants.  In this short interview, Attorney Facchetti discusses some tactics that are being used by some internet libel attorneys today that are solely designed to harass, defame and gain advantage over an opposing side in litigation, and why these tactics should never be employed.

Play: What to do when On-Line or Libel Lawsuit Contains Its Own Defamatory Statements
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With: Adrianos Facchetti

Sponsored by: Traverse Defamation Law

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Announcer:  Welcome to  Internet Defamation Law Radio.  Internet defamation is as easy to perpetuate as a blog post or forum comment.  Your online reputation is measured by the website’s return as Google search results.  Do you know what people are saying in writing about you?  This program is brought to you by Traverse Defamation Law.  Internet lawyers with frontline experience handling Internet Defamation and Internet Libel lawsuits for clients like you.  Contact Traverse Legal today and find out how to protect your online reputation. 

Damien Allen:  Good afternoon and welcome to Defamation Law Radio.  My name is Damien Allen, and today joining me, via the telephone, from the West Coast, we have Adrianos Facchetti of the Law Office of Adrianos Facchetti.  Good afternoon, Adrianos, and welcome to the program. 

Adrianos Facchetti:  Hi, Damien.  Thanks for having me. 

Internet Libel Lawyer | How to Defend Against Online Defamation & Libel

In today's digital world, it is easier than ever to share thoughts and ideas with the general public. It is also easier to defame people and businesses, often under the veil of online anonymity.  Attorney Mark Clark discusses strategies to protect your reputation against internet libel, slander, and defamation.

Play: How To Defend Your Online Reputation
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With: Mark Clark

Sponsored by: Traverse Defamation Law

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