What is an example of a statement that could be considered defamatory?

In Washington, a statement is considered defamatory if it is false and injures the reputation of an individual or group. This can include statements made in written or spoken form. An example of a statement that could be considered defamatory is if someone says, “John is a thief,” when they were not a witness to John actually stealing something. This statement could lead people to think negatively of John and, as a result, harm his reputation. Another example of a potentially defamatory statement is if someone says, “The XYZ company is corrupt,” without providing any evidence to back up the claim. If people believe the statement, it could cause them to form negative opinions about the company and damage its professional reputation. Therefore, these examples show how a false statement made with the intent to harm an individual or business can be considered defamatory in Washington.

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What is an example of a statement that could be considered defamatory?

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