Slander

[mbLOLO]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? NJ I am a nurse at a small community hospital. I documented the TRUTH about a patient on his chart. The doctor was furious with me for writing this. First he approached me and tried to get me to change what I wrote. I refused. Over the course of the next week he proceded to speak badly about me to everyone. He started with a phone call to my boss...who agreed that what I wrote was correct. While at the nurses station (I was not present) he VERY LOUDLY complained about the nurse (me) "who is an idiot, doesn't know what she's doing, should loose her license" etc...on an on. He was on the phone speaking with the family of the patient. He went on to advise them that they should get a lawyer and sue. Several of the other nurses sat down and documented the whole incident. The complaint was forwarded to administration. He was reprimanded by the hospital administration including the hospital attorney. People are telling me to pursue a slander lawsuit. Do you think I have a case? Should I bother? Thanks, LOLO

 

[cbg]

No, I don't think you have a case.

Slander does not mean that someone said something about you that you disagree with. It means that someone broadcast something FALSE about you to an audience and as a result of that, you suffered damages.

The doctor did not make a false statement about you. He expressed his negative opinion, which is his right under the law. You may disagree with him; everyone in the hospital may disagree with him; he may be completely incorrect. But he is still entitled to his opinion.

Your boss supported you. You were not fired, suspended, demoted, or otherwise disciplined. You have suffered no damages to sue for.

 

[mbLOLO]

slander

Thanks for your answer. This doc is a real jerk. He bad mouths everyone and is not liked by many. Everyone is encouraging me to "teach him a lesson" to shut up. It was thought since this was documented and he was reprimanded by administration that I would have a case. Thanks again, I wouldn't want to waste my time if I didn't have to. I appreciate your input. LOLO

 

[msldystrkr]

Avoid as much as possible a lawsuit. What everyone is telling you is NOT the same as them bing dragged through the courts. I can tell you from experience that those "everyones" will not be in sight when you really need them. They will leave YOU holding the bag and teaching this jerk on your own.

 

[cbg]

Without some evidence of damages, which you do not have, your case would never survive summary judgement. He'd never see the inside of a courtroom.