How do you prove damages in a slander case?
In a slander case, one of the elements a plaintiff must prove is damages. Proving damages in a slander case requires evidence of tangible harm to the plaintiff. The kind of harm that can be proven includes damage to the plaintiff’s reputation in the community, mental suffering and distress, and financial losses. Reputational harm is the main type of damage in slander cases. This requires evidence of an individual’s diminished reputation in the community, such as negative opinions from customers or coworkers. This can be proven through testimonies from people who know the plaintiff. Mental suffering and distress is also considered a type of harm that can be proven in Minnesota. This requires evidence of stress or mental anguish that could have been caused by the slander. Proof of this kind of damage could include medical bills for counseling, lost wages due to stress leave, and evidence of any physical effects of the stress. Finally, financial losses can be proven in a slander case if an individual suffered economic harm due to the slander. This type of proof requires evidence of purchases or investments that were cancelled or revenues that decreased due to the slander. Proof of financial losses could include documents such as receipts, contracts, and bank statements.
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