Rolling Stone & Author Ordered to Pay $3 Million in Defamation Suit

Legal scholars tracked, closely, the Rolling Stone defamation lawsuit which was before a jury in federal court.The magazine Rolling Stone, and a writer, were sued for defamation regarding a story published about rape at the University of Virginia. The New York Times:  “A federal jury on Monday ordered Rolling Stone and one of its writers to pay $3 million in damages to a University of Virginia administrator over a discredited article two years ago about a supposed gang rape at the university.”

 New York Times:  “The jury in Charlottesville, Va., had already decided on Friday, after a two-week trial, that Rolling Stone; Wenner Media, its parent company; and Sabrina Rubin Erdely, the author of the article, were all liable for defamation in a case that centered on faulty reporting and a failure to apply basic fail-safes in editing.”

Here is the link to this Rolling Stone federal court case story on defamation, and the jury verdict, by the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/08/business/media/in-rolling-stone-defamation-case-magazine-and-reporter-ordered-to-pay-3-million.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

 Do you know the difference between libel and slander and defamation?  Do you know how you prove damages for a Florida libel or slander or defamation lawsuit?

 In Florida, the elements of a claim for defamation are as follows: “(1) publication; (2) falsity; (3) actor must act with knowledge or reckless disregard as to the falsity on a matter concerning a public official, or at least negligently on a matter concerning a private person; (4) actual damages; and (5) statement must be defamatory.” Jews for Jesus, Inc. v. Rapp, 997 So.2d 1098, 1106 (Fla.2008).

 To learn more about defamation, click here to readthe Florida Supreme Court case of Internet Solutions Corp v. Marshall. This case also deals with important issues of personal jurisdiction, the internet and how and under what circumstances defamatory remarks are “published” in Florida.   When the defamatory remarks are actually published, and how so, are very important elements to your defamation litigation law firm in Florida.  Some people who want to sue for libel or defamation want trial lawyers who take the case on a contingency or a contingent fee basis.