I have been sued for a Fourm Posting

[SuedbyNeighbor]

I live in Utah: I live in a condo complex where a neighbor has sued the home owners association for many things. Before he filed this suit back in September of 2005 he placed a very inflammitory letter about our condo board on my door. Well this letter upset me and I responded to his letter. I wrote in my letter that I was expressing my opinion and that it was not meant to offend him. Later that night the letter I wrote him was returned to me with a note paper written on it that said " As a man thinketh so is he" taped on my front door. Well that upset me even more. So I posted my letter to him to our Condo web site which is where anyone can go to express their opinions and views as freedom of expression. It is our first amendment right to freedom of speach. Well in April of this year I was called to give a deposition and again in that meeting I stated it was my opinion and it was stated out of anger to his letter and that I am entitled to my opinion. Well yesterday he added me as a separate person to his lawsuit so now he is suing my condo association and me separatly. Can you be sued for having an opinion and stating it as such?
What are my legal rights here? Can anyone help me?

 

[seniorjudge]

Q: Can you be sued for having an opinion and stating it as such?

A: Yes. But this lawsuit sounds like a bunch of crap to me.

 

[moburkes]

Yes, you can be sued. You have the right to defend yourself.

 

[SuedbyNeighbor]

How can I defend myself

If I wanted to counter sue him for the fact that this is now preventing me for putting my home up for sale, applying for credit, and basically messing up my life can I? My letter clearly states in my opinion several times. But the lawsuit never shows that I said that. It paints me as an ogre and a mean horrible person. But I am just somone standing up for my community, and he is just making me look bad.

What can I do? I need help.

 

[seniorjudge]

Q: If I wanted to counter sue him for the fact that this is now preventing me for putting my home up for sale, applying for credit, and basically messing up my life can I?

A: Sure you could. But it wouldn't be true.




Q: What can I do?

A: Hire a lawyer. Fight this frivolous lawsuit and ask for a million dollars worth of damages.

 

[panzertanker]

Q: If I wanted to counter sue him for the fact that this is now preventing me for putting my home up for sale, applying for credit, and basically messing up my life can I?

A: Sure you could. But it wouldn't be true.




Q: What can I do?

A: Hire a lawyer. Fight this frivolous lawsuit and ask for a million dollars worth of damages.

Why ya gonna go and give the poster hope?

 

[cbg]

Anyone can sue for anything. Doesn't mean they'll win.

 

[panther10758]

What grounds did thsi person sue on? Not sure many can help you here as they have not seen letter and posting it once already has resulted in Law Suit

 

[Quaere]

Can you be sued for having an opinion and stating it as such?

Simply stating that something is your “opinion” does not necessarily mean it will qualify as “opinion” for the purpose of defending against a defamation suit. What exactly did you say about the guy?

 

[mtpockets]

no legal basis

If he is suing you for expressing your opinion, he will lose because he has no legal basis for his claim.

Find out whether your state allows a civil suit for malicious prosecution. If so, he may be willing to drop his meritless lawsuit after you (or preferably your attorney) tell him he could be liable for damages to you.