What is the name of your state? Michigan
I am a Special Education Teacher for Students with Visual Impairments in the State of Michigan. I am writing to learn if my situation is consistent with filing a slander lawsuit. It is a complex situation that began in March 2005.
Some background: As an educator, I am required by law to report any suspicions of abuse or neglect to a Family Independance Agency (FIA)representative. In March 2005, I found it necessary, after witnessing a situation, to file such a report. This report is confidential, though with the small population that I work with - it never seems to end up confidential because of process of elimination. Anyway, after the investigation was concluded by FIA (finding: unable to substantiate report), I began to receive phone calls from this parent (I have caller-id at home and on my cell phone) ending in hang-ups or grotesque sounds. I was receiving so many on my cell phone that my bill was doubling each month (finally in June 2005, I had both numbers changed). I should state that on several occassions prior to the report being filed, she was praising my "good deeds" and "professionalism" to anyone who would listen.
During the time of these phone calls, allegations were brought about that I was manipulating her son into doing things (what we never learned). She had me removed from providing direct services to her son and placed me on consultative services - but still continued with the lies and threats. Her allegations of my asking and taking money from her family, manipulating her son, plotting to have others in my office fired from their jobs, not doing my job, etc. lead to a formal investigation into my professional conduct. Needless to say since I was doing none of the things she said I was the investigation at work found that I was guilty of no wrong doing. Then summer vacation came and I had several months of peace.
Upon my return to work on Monday 8/22 - I found out that my peaceful summer was so only in my little bubble. She was stirring up things all over the place. Apparently she has contacted professionals that I work or have worked with in the past (educators, optometrists, ophthalmologists, etc.) and slandered my professional reputation. As far as I know, she has not contacted my employers, nor my immediate supervisor over the summer. But she did contact my summer employer (I provide contracted services through them) and told everyone she could tell there how bad of a person I was. She also stated that I was not following Federal Laws (IDEA & ADA) and the provisions of such laws that her son is entitled to receive. I am unsure what to do, as I'm not sure how she came to this conclusion - her son's school has not started yet and the "letter of the law (according to his IEP)" was followed and materials are ready for his return to school on Monday.
That is the big long sorted story - I'm not sure if I have a case for slander or not. But I do feel that she is trying to ruin my professional reputation and quickly. I have and will be again working through the current system at my place of employment, but is there anything that I can do to stop this slander to everyone and their brother!! Or should I just grin and bear it?
I thank you for your time with my situation and look forward to hearing your reply. DCB
I am a Special Education Teacher for Students with Visual Impairments in the State of Michigan. I am writing to learn if my situation is consistent with filing a slander lawsuit. It is a complex situation that began in March 2005.
Some background: As an educator, I am required by law to report any suspicions of abuse or neglect to a Family Independance Agency (FIA)representative. In March 2005, I found it necessary, after witnessing a situation, to file such a report. This report is confidential, though with the small population that I work with - it never seems to end up confidential because of process of elimination. Anyway, after the investigation was concluded by FIA (finding: unable to substantiate report), I began to receive phone calls from this parent (I have caller-id at home and on my cell phone) ending in hang-ups or grotesque sounds. I was receiving so many on my cell phone that my bill was doubling each month (finally in June 2005, I had both numbers changed). I should state that on several occassions prior to the report being filed, she was praising my "good deeds" and "professionalism" to anyone who would listen.
During the time of these phone calls, allegations were brought about that I was manipulating her son into doing things (what we never learned). She had me removed from providing direct services to her son and placed me on consultative services - but still continued with the lies and threats. Her allegations of my asking and taking money from her family, manipulating her son, plotting to have others in my office fired from their jobs, not doing my job, etc. lead to a formal investigation into my professional conduct. Needless to say since I was doing none of the things she said I was the investigation at work found that I was guilty of no wrong doing. Then summer vacation came and I had several months of peace.
Upon my return to work on Monday 8/22 - I found out that my peaceful summer was so only in my little bubble. She was stirring up things all over the place. Apparently she has contacted professionals that I work or have worked with in the past (educators, optometrists, ophthalmologists, etc.) and slandered my professional reputation. As far as I know, she has not contacted my employers, nor my immediate supervisor over the summer. But she did contact my summer employer (I provide contracted services through them) and told everyone she could tell there how bad of a person I was. She also stated that I was not following Federal Laws (IDEA & ADA) and the provisions of such laws that her son is entitled to receive. I am unsure what to do, as I'm not sure how she came to this conclusion - her son's school has not started yet and the "letter of the law (according to his IEP)" was followed and materials are ready for his return to school on Monday.
That is the big long sorted story - I'm not sure if I have a case for slander or not. But I do feel that she is trying to ruin my professional reputation and quickly. I have and will be again working through the current system at my place of employment, but is there anything that I can do to stop this slander to everyone and their brother!! Or should I just grin and bear it?
I thank you for your time with my situation and look forward to hearing your reply. DCB