Is it slander when someone blames you for something they did?

Question

First off I own a business, so things this woman has said Can affect my business if she's said these things to the wrong people.

My neighbor Joanne (real name not used) has custody of her 'nephews'. She has told the kids mother Casey (real name not used... fake name) that I am the reason Casey* lost her kids. And that I called social services on Casey. And Casey Believed Joanne. So When I asked Casey if she needed any baby stuff (crib, table, etc) for the baby she is due to have in a few weeks, she screamed at me because she seriously believed that I was the reason she lost her kids (I didn't even know her when she lost her kids.. I did meet her 12 yrs ago, but I doubt she even remembers me from then)

I had gotten screamed at for no reason at all! Casey* was very angry with me for something I didn't do. I explained to her that I had nothing to do with that. And that Joanne* who has custody of the children is the one who called social services. A really easy task to prove in court. That I did not call social services on Casey*.

Is it slander when Joanne* tells Casey* that I'm the one who calls social services weekly? When in fact is it Joanne that calls every week? ( I don't even know who the case worker is!)

This entire thing could have actually put me in danger as Casey's* Fiance is a very angry person and is in Anger Management and parenting classes so they can get the children back. If he had really seriously thought it was my fault they lost the kids, who knows what he woulda done. She wants people to think that she's doing the right thing, and that I'm actually a bad person and telling lies to social services. When in fact it is Her (Joanne) that's doing the bad things. So she's basically blaming me for things she does. but making people believe it and 'HATE' me over it. Is that really slander?

What are your opinions?

Answer 1

I think it would be hard to prove that something like this would have any affect on your business or finances.  Technically it is slander, but to persue this in court would probably go no where since this is not hurting you in any way.  Just stay away from the drama.  It is not a bad thing for someone to call DFS if something is going on and they are quite aware of false reports made everyday.  That is why they do investigations.  Since her kids got taken, I would say they went by more than someones word.  There was most likely something going on.  

Slander is the spoken or transitory form of defamation of character, a legal term that refers to a falsehood presented as true which could harm the reputation of a person or entity. Slander also encompasses body gestures as in the case of sign language. If defamation of character is placed in a fixed form, as in the case of a sign, published paper, film or recording, it is considered libel. In short, slander is temporarily uttered or gesticulated, libel is published or otherwise fixed.

Slander is a tort, or civil law, meaning a civil lawsuit can be brought against someone who is accused of slander. In the United States certain facts must be established for someone to be found guilty of slander. Assuming there is proof that the defendant uttered the alleged statement, the statement must be overheard by someone other than the subject or other “privileged” parties. Slander must also clearly identify the party or entity, and the intent must be malicious.

Winning a defamation of character lawsuit can pay off in two types of compensation: general damages and special damages. General damages covers emotional trauma while special damages covers economic loss. In the case of a slander lawsuit proof of specific special damages might be required before general damages can be awarded. Unfortunately, special damages can be hard to prove.

Some types of slander, however, are considered “slanderous per se” and are automatically awarded general damages without proof of special damages. In this case the slander must do one of the following:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-slander....

Declare the plaintiff unfit to perform his or her job adequately. Allege criminal behavior on the part of the plaintiff. Claim the plaintiff has an unsavory disease. Make immoral sexual claims, especially about the virtue of a female plaintiffbe useless.  

Answer 2

From Nolo.com:

"A type of defamation. Slander is an untruthful oral (spoken) statement about a person that harms the person's reputation or standing in the community. Because slander is a tort (a civil wrong), the injured person can bring a lawsuit against the person who made the false statement. If the statement is made via broadcast media -- for example, over the radio or on TV -- it is considered libel, rather than slander, because the statement has the potential to reach a very wide audience. "

So the technical answer is yes.  The fun will be proving it, other than your hearsay.  If you have actual evidence of 'Joanne' making statements she knows to be untrue, you have the option of filing a civil suit against her.  You will also have to prove damages, such as lost business to get any kind of compensation.