Sub-Contractor Bad-Mouths Me to Client

[threepeas]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Minnesota

I brought a sub-contractor onto a project (I'm an interior designer) to complete a portion of a job. After he begun to work in the client's home, I soon received an e-mail from the client releasing me from our contratual agreement, that they would no longer require my services.

Months later I find out from a reputable source that the sub-contractor had bad-mouthed me to the client, telling them I was going to mark-up his invoice and bill them the increased amount, etc., which is what caused the client to no longer use my services.

Without anything from the client directly, only a source that would be hearsay, do I have any type of a case to take this guy to small claims for defamation of character and/or slander? If I were to obtain a statement from the client, would I then? What amount would be reasonable?

Thank you.

 

[justalayman]

Months later I find out from a reputable source that the sub-contractor had bad-mouthed me to the client, telling them I was going to mark-up his invoice and bill them the increased amount, etc., which is what caused the client to no longer use my services.

Without anything from the client directly, only a source that would be hearsay, do I have any type of a case to take this guy to small claims for defamation of character and/or slander? If I were to obtain a statement from the client, would I then? What amount would be reasonable?

are you saying you don't mark up the subs invoice and bill the customer the increased amount? If you don't, I think you must be the only person in the country that doesn't.

If it was a lie, you might have a claim for defamation or tortuous interference with a business relationship. If it was true, then it is true and there really isn't much you can do about it.

 

[quincy]

Ditto everything justalayman said and one addition: "Witness" testimony is generally what is relied on to support a slander action, along with evidence of reputational harm that has resulted from the defamatory communication. Without a showing of significant reputational injury, however, slander suits are rarely worth pursuing, as the costs of the action often exceed any damages that may be awarded.

 

[swalsh411]

telling them I was going to mark-up his invoice and bill them the increased amount

You don't do this?