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Defamation Lawyer – Libel & Slander Lawyer in Florida
Alan Sackrin – Board Certified Civil Trial Expert
40+ Years of Experience Representing Clients in Florida Courtrooms
In Florida, the Florida courts have defined what must be shown to win a libel or slander (defamation) lawsuit under Florida law. According to the Florida Supreme Court in the case of Jews for Jesus, Inc. v. Rapp, 997 So. 2d 1098, 1106 (Fla. 2008), the elements of defamation are:
- publication;
- falsity;
- the bad actor must act with knowledge or reckless disregard as to the falsity on a matter concerning a public [figure], or at least negligently on a matter concerning a private person;
- there must be actual damages (someone had to read or see the defamation which impacted you or your business or both); and
- the statement must be defamatory (libel or slander).
Publication, meaning where the statement was said or written, can occur in a wide variety of places. Our law firm represents those who have been defamed in all sorts of ways and in all sorts of locations, including statements made in:
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Blogs, Websites, Forums, and other online Internet sources
- Social Media Sites
- Review Sites
- Internal blogs or intranets
- E-mails
- Speeches
- Public meetings including condominium & HOA meetings
- Television Broadcasts
- Radio Broadcasts
Read: Anatomy of a Florida Defamation Lawsuit: From Filing a Complaint to Appeal (On our blog)
Written Statements on the Web Can Be “Internet Libel”
Defamation that is written is called libel. On the internet, a statement that “defames” or harms someone’s reputation (a/k/a cyber defamation), can occur in all sorts of internet locations:
- Online review sites like Yelp, lawyers.com, ripoffreport.com, etc.
- Website posts and comments
- Facebook posts
- Facebook groups
- Facebook comments
- Instagram Posts and Comments
- LinkedIn posts
- LinkedIn comments
- Google Maps
- Google Reviews
- Tweets on “X” (f/k/a Twitter)
- Youtube.com Videos
Our Latest Defamation Content:
Defamation Settlements
Here are samples of recent defamation cases Alan Sackrin has settled and won after filing a defamation lawsuit:
- $35,000.00 relating to online libel by an ex-boyfriend who anonymously wrote questionable comments about our client
- $85,000.00 relating to a libel lawsuit we filed for egregious comments made on twitter.com and facebook.com
Cost of a Defamation Lawsuit
The cost, or legal fees, for a defamation lawsuit, is based on the amount of time we spend on the case. Meaning, these cases are billed on an hourly basis, and not handled on a contingency fee basis. Additionally, there are costs for filing and pursuing a lawsuit, including, but not limited to, the filing fee paid to the clerk of court (less than $500.00), service of process costs, and, in some instances, deposition costs, court reporter costs, mediation costs, etc.
State and Federal Laws Apply to Florida Defamation (libel, slander) Lawsuits
When someone files a defamation of character lawsuit in Florida, they must look to both state and federal law for guidance. These laws include:
1. The Federal Communications Decency Act
Passed in 1996, the Federal Communications Decency Act had portions of its language struck down in 1997 by the United States Supreme Court because the High Court found the part of the law that provided for criminal prosecution of websites deemed “unfit for children,” but the part of the FCDA that remained provides that Florida and other states can have state laws that prohibit as defamation any sexually-oriented material found to be “patently offensive under local community standards” unless the publisher of those statements can show them to have “redeeming social value.”
Of particular importance to Internet users is Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which provides that “[n]o provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.”
Section 230 controls over state law and states that “[n]o cause of action may be brought and no liability may be imposed under any State or local law that is inconsistent with this section.”
2. The Federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act
The Federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) was passed in 1986 and is controversial today because it is applied to internet communications which many (like the ACLU) argue did not exist then and should not be covered by this 25+ year-old legislation. The ECPA acts to allow the government to collect internet information via websites, search engines, and more. For details, check out the ACLU’s position page on this federal law.
3. Florida Statute 770 et seq (related to Libel Cases)
The Florida Legislature has passed a law that deals specifically with written forms of defamation (libel). Chapter 770 of the Florida Statutes provides that before a defamation lawsuit can be brought, the party alleging defamation must give 5 days notice of his claim to the defendant and the law also gives specific steps that can be undertaken prior to litigation by the defendant to avoid the suit if his or her statements were, among other things, made in good faith.
For more information about defamation cases, please read Alan’s in-depth blog articles:
- Defamation Per Se: When Libel or Slander Is So Bad
- Defamation Lawsuits in Florida
- Defamation Claims in Florida
- Can You Be Sued for an Anonymous Review?
- Defenses to Libel and Slander Claims
Read all of our defamation articles here.
Board Certified Civil Trial Expert
Alan Sackrin’s 40+ years of experience in the courtroom makes him an expert in evaluating facts, applying the law, and effectively asking juries to render a favorable verdict. Alan is a Board Certified civil trial lawyer which means he is a trial specialist.
If you or a loved one have been defamed online, in print, or by television or radio broadcast, or being sued for defamation then please contact Alan Sackrin, an experienced slander lawyer, today for a free initial consultation.
Get A Free Case Evaluation By An Experienced Defamation Lawyer – Call (954) 458-8655
Contact Alan Sackrin to find out how he can help you. You can contact him by phone at 954-458-8655 or by e-mail through this website to schedule an appointment and learn more about your rights from a Florida defamation lawyer. He offers a free initial consultation.
Want to Know More?
To learn more about Alan, see his bio.
In The Press:
Alan Sackrin contributed to a Bloomberg article regarding cyber defamation and the lower burden of proof for a plaintiff in Florida to recover damages.
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