Tag Archives: Defamation

Virginia Supreme Court Reverses Damages Award For Violation Of Nondisparagement Clause

The Virginia Supreme Court has reversed a jury verdict in favor of a individual against his former employer for violation of a nondisparagement clause in a separation agreement.  Alan Nogiec, a former director of the Parks and Recreation Department of … Continue reading

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Western District Finds Insulting Words Claim Actionable

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia recently found that a plaintiff had stated a claim under Virginia’s “insulting words” statute based on an accusation by her former employer that she had engaged in criminal conduct.  The … Continue reading

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District Court Remits Large Defamation Verdict in Richmond

In a rather interesting dispute over postings on a personal website and on-line forum, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia recently entered an order directing the plaintiff to choose between a remittitur (i.e. reduction) of his … Continue reading

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Defamation Claim Survives Summary Judgment

In Wynn v. Wachovia Bank, N.A., the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia denied an employer’s motion for summary judgment as to a defamation claim.  Plaintiff’s complaint alleged wrongful termination, conversion of her funds, and defamation by … Continue reading

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Virginia Supreme Court Remands Defamation Case For Trial

On January 16, 2009, the Virginia Supreme Court remanded the case of Hyland vs. Raytheon Technical Services Company for a jury trial in the Fairfax County Circuit Court.  A copy of the opinion is here.  We previously commented on the … Continue reading

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A Lesson For Employers In $3 Million Defamation Verdict

A federal court jury in Greenville, South Carolina, has awarded a Target customer $3 million in her defamation suit against the company.  Although not an employment case, the case has an interesting lesson for employers.

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$3.5 Million Defamation Case Dismissed On Remand

According to The VLW Blog, the Fairfax County Circuit Court has dismissed on remand the defamation claims of a former Raytheon executive who won one of the largest jury verdicts in Virginia in 2005.

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In-House Counsel Not Liable For Defamation

Can in-house counsel be held liable for defamation by sending a termination letter to an employee’s attorney recounting the grounds for the termination?  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit said “no” under North Dakota law in Humann … Continue reading

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