What is the statute of limitations for defamation claims?

The statute of limitations is a set of laws that determine how long someone has to file a lawsuit. In California, the statute of limitations for defamation claims is one year. This means that a person who has been defamed has one year from the time the defamation occurred to file a lawsuit. Defamation is a false statement made intentionally or negligently about someone that harms their reputation. Examples of defamation include libel (written defamation) and slander (spoken defamation). Generally, the longer a person waits to take legal action, the harder it is to prove the claim. As a result, the one-year statute of limitations serves as an incentive to file a lawsuit as soon as possible. Despite the one-year statute of limitations, there are a few exceptions. For example, if the person who has been defamed discovers the statement after the one-year period has passed, the time begins to run from the date of discovery. In addition, if a person deliberately conceals the statement, the statute of limitations may be extended. So, in California, the statute of limitations for defamation claims is one year. However, there are exceptions that may extend the filing period. It is important to speak with a lawyer to determine the best course of action if you think you have been defamed.

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What is the statute of limitations for defamation claims?

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