Is a plaintiff required to show actual damages in a defamation case?

In the state of Washington, a plaintiff is not necessarily required to show actual damages in a defamation case. Washington follows a “negligence standard” in defamation cases, meaning that the plaintiff must show that the defendant acted without reasonable care or due diligence in publishing the statement. If the plaintiff is able to demonstrate that the defendant acted negligently, the plaintiff may be awarded damages without actually having to show evidence of actual harm or injury. However, while it is possible to win a defamation case without providing evidence of actual harm, doing so is not common. In most cases, a plaintiff must show that some sort of harm occurred due to the defamatory statement. This can include lost wages, emotional pain and suffering, or a loss of reputation. To prove such harm, the plaintiff will likely need to present evidence such as medical records, job performance records, or emails and written statements. In conclusion, while a plaintiff is not necessarily required to show actual damages in a defamation case in Washington, it is often necessary in order to be awarded damages. In order to prove actual harm has occurred, the plaintiff must provide evidence to demonstrate this harm was caused by the defendant’s careless publishing of the statement.

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Is a plaintiff required to show actual damages in a defamation case?

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