do I have a case?

[dani]

What is the name of your state? MD

There is a woman at my place of business (my reputation is an important part of my career because I am an independant contractor) who I have a long history of problems with. At one point a professional mediator got involved and the conclusion was that we should not have any direct contact with each other and I have done nothing but try to avoid her. The problem is that she is constantly saying stuff about me to anyone who will listen even when I am not the topic of conversaion. Mostly just statements that I am mean and horrible and everyone hates me.

She has made official complaints against me (always completely inaccurate but based on some grain of truth, leaving out her bad behavior in the situation). anytime she gets wind of anyone having any dissatisfaction with me, as little as thinking I spoke to them slightly harshly, she tried to convince them to make a written complaint against me. One time she did get someone to, wrote the complaint for them adding in a bunch of untruths, and the person emailed me saying they decided not to file the complaint because "she realized this woman did this fo rher own purposes" and it wasnt really about her small issue.

The latest thing I found out about is that she has an annonymous complaint against me (there has never been a complaint that didn't come from her or go through her) that she has handed around and shown several people at my place of business; people who have no relation to this issue. She also has no relation to the issue and is not an employee of my place of business nor would have any reason to be involved except the fact that she wants to cause me trouble.

I sany of this something I can sue for? I really just want her to leave me alone.

 

[quincy]

you can always sue

If you can prove damages, yes, you can sue. Even if you CAN'T prove damages, you can sue - but in that case, your chances of winning any suit is unlikely. If this person is damaging your reputation and causing you to lose business AND if what she is saying is untrue, you can sue for libel (if she is writing falsehoods) or slander (if she is saying falsehoods). If what is being said or written is TRUE, however, truth is an absolute defense and it is tough to fight against truth.

 

[saltorino]

I second quincy: Prove damages and prove these statements are false and you can get her. I can't help wonder what her problem is. Had you wronged her in the past? Was there a relationship? Stalkers often have a history with their victims...

 

[kcrider]

Dani,
Did you ever get any advice on your situation? I am in a very similar situation here in Virginia.
Kim

 

[dani]

There is a history that really has nothing to do with me that makes her hate me (a situation with a third party). Damages are easy to prove because she has been spreading stuff to my clients as well as potential clients. The problem is the stuff I have proof of her spreading aren't flat out lies, usually based on some fact but just warped and twisted into something different. Also there is a lot of "why would you work with her, she is mean and everyone hates her" sort of statements.