In a commercial city like Los Angeles, disputes over libellous statements can become complex quickly. It is critical to understand the legal power of words and the laws that govern them. This guide provides an overview of the three main categories of a tort known as “defamation:” libel, slander, and product disparagement. It also provides tips for avoiding legal action and guidance on how to find experienced lawyers in Los Angeles if you do become entangled in a tortious dispute.

Defamation is a catch-all term encompassing three distinct torts all involving the misuse of words: libel, slander, and product disparagement. Libel and slander are forms of defamation aimed at individuals, while product disparagement is aimed at specific products or companies. If you’ve been the victim of any of these, insidious harms you should contact a qualified attorney right away as the additional legal remedies added to a tortious action may be your key to a successful outcome.

As any business lawyer who services the Los Angeles area can tell you, libellous words can often do untold harm to a person’s reputation - either by innuendo or direct statement. In California, this is known as negligent defamation, meaning a person’s reputation was damaged by another person’s negligence in the public arena. If the statement made was libelous, it requires proof of malice before a person can seek a remedy through a tortious lawsuit. In California, slander is a civil wrong as well; the plaintiff may seek remedy for slander -- usually through monetary damages.

California’s product disparagement law is also very clear in this area. If a product or company is disparaged in the public arena, it is up to the manufacturer or seller of the product to prove that the statement was false or that the disparaging statement had no negative effect on the product or company’s reputation. It is imperative that a Los Angeles business lawyer who specializes in this field represent you in a product or company disparagement case as the state's laws can be particularly complex in this area.

When it comes time to contact an experienced lawyer in the Los Angeles area to handle a product or company disparagement case, it is important to look for the following qualities:

-Access to high quality attorneys on demand

-A deep and comprehensive understanding of product and company disparagement laws in California

-Business attorneys who have an average of 14 years of experience

-Listings of client ratings and reviews of lawyers specializing in this field

With the right Los Angeles-based attorney on your side, it is possible to get relief for these unlawful and damaging acts. UpCounsel’s extensive network of experienced lawyers provides access to the attorneys you need for a successful case. From small businesses to the Fortune 1000, UpCounsel and its attorneys are trusted to provide high quality, cost-effective legal services.

Most importantly, a business lawyer who covers this area of expertise should have knowledge of the most effective strategies for combating defamation. This includes the ability to demonstrate verifiable evidence that the statement was false, mitigating defamation by highlighting multiple truths, and providing documentation that demonstrates the intentional harm of the statement.

Those who have endured this type of injury know that it can be difficult to find justice in an emotion-driven market. An experience lawyer with up-to-date familiarity with California's product and company disparagement laws is essential to the successful prosecution of a defamation case. This is particularly important in Los Angeles, where the competition is high.

Topics:

Defamation,

Libel,

Slander