What kinds of statements constitute defamation?

Defamation, which is a legal term also known as “slander” or “libel”, is a false statement that is made with the intention to hurt someone’s reputation. Under Washington state law, for a statement to be considered defamatory, it must be false, it must be able to injure a person’s reputation, and it must be made to a third party. Typically, statements that accuse someone of criminal activity or dishonesty, statements that assert someone’s incompetence in their professional life, or statements that claim someone has an infectious or contagious disease are all considered defamation. Additionally, if someone purposefully makes false statements about you online, either in a blog post or comment or a video, that could also be considered defamation. In general, statements that harm someone’s character or reputation and are false are the types of statements considered to be defamation in Washington. It is important to note that truth is a defense against libel and slander, meaning that if the statements made about someone are found to be true, then they cannot be used as a basis for a defamation lawsuit.

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What kinds of statements constitute defamation?

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