What kinds of damages can a person recover in a defamation lawsuit?

In West Virginia, a person who has been defamed can seek a variety of damages in a defamation lawsuit. Generally speaking, damages are intended to compensate a person for any harm they have suffered as a result of the defamatory statement. The first type of damages a person may be able to seek is economic damages, which include compensation for any financial losses that may have been caused by the defamatory statement. For example, if the defamatory statement caused someone to lose their job, then they may be able to seek compensation for the wages they lost as a result. The second type of damages a person may be able to recover is non-economic damages, which are intended to compensate the person for any intangible harm they may have suffered. This includes compensation for any mental anguish, emotional distress, or humiliation that was caused by the defamatory statement. Finally, a person may also be able to seek punitive damages if the defendant was particularly malicious or reckless in making the defamatory statement. These damages are intended to punish the defendant for their actions, and are usually only awarded in the most severe cases. In summary, a person who has been defamed in West Virginia can seek economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages in a defamation lawsuit. These damages are intended to compensate the plaintiff for any losses they may have suffered as a result of the defamatory statement.

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What kinds of damages can a person recover in a defamation lawsuit?

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