What kind of proof is required to win a defamation lawsuit?

In California, in order to win a defamation lawsuit, the plaintiff must provide proof that the defendant made false and unprivileged statements about the plaintiff that caused injury. The plaintiff must prove that the defendant stated or published something that was false, and that the false statement harmed their reputation. In addition, plaintiffs must prove that the defendant acted negligently or with knowledge that the statement was false. If a defendant was unaware that the statement was false, they cannot be found guilty of defamation. The plaintiff must also prove that the words were understood to refer to the plaintiff. This involves showing that the statement was heard or read by the plaintiff and that others recognized it as referring to the plaintiff. Finally, the plaintiff must demonstrate that they suffered damage as a result of the false statement. This includes proving that they lost money, lost a job or other professional opportunities, or experienced emotional distress. In general, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff. To win a defamation lawsuit, they must be able to provide evidence that the defendant made a false statement, that it injured their reputation, and that they suffered damages as a result.

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What kind of proof is required to win a defamation lawsuit?

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