Is this slander?

[kat308]

What is the name of your state? NY

My husband just receviced a copy of his daughter's school records from Jan 07 to present. In her psychiatric evaluation, it is stated that his ex wife believes that he has mental issues along with ADHD and frequently changes jobs. None of this is true. he was never contact by the school psychiatrist to verify his information and she just included this. Is this slander? Shouldn't this not have been included as this information was unverified?What is the name of your state?

 

[quincy]

The psychiatrist's evaluation is opinion and, therefore, no defamation suit can arise from what is written there (written defamation is called "libel" whereas spoken defamation is "slander"). The psychiatrist also said in her evaluation that the ex-wife "believes" her ex-husband has ADHD and mental issues. These, too, are opinions and, as such, do not need verification. Nothing here is stated as fact.

Your husband can certainly contact the school and/or the psychiatrist to add his opinions to the report, as well, if what is written disturbs him.

As it stands, however, even if the statements do not conform with your beliefs or your husband's beliefs, they are not actionable libel.