Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California
Defamation / slander
I was the General Manager of a large hotel until 2/26/07 after working over 5 years. Hotel owner terminated me accusing me of completely false things, including being paid by another hotel to take his down, stealing and now embezzlement. He did this in front of my employees. I have done none of those things. He held a meeting with my 9 department heads on 2/26 and allowed each of them to publicly humiliate me and attack my character. He then made me leave the room and took a vote to have me terminated. He even contacted members of the Rotary Club (which I am a memeber) with these accusations. This has undermined my integrity and damaged my career which I have worked so hard for. He is an extremely wealthy businessman from Beverly Hills, has no hotel experience whatsoever and created a hostile environment which made it impossible for me to thrive. Guests at the hotel are being told that I embezzled. Today I find out that they have posted on the hotel marque ''Under New Management''. I am suffering from depression since this, can't sleep and have anxiety about going out and being humiliated in the community. How do I proceed with a defamation or slander suit now that my career tarnished?
4 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Defamation / slander
Accepting your statements as accurrate, you find and retain counsel. You have potential causes of action for defamation, slander, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress and possible work place harrassment.
Re: Defamation / slander
You do so by sticking to the facts, and through an experienced attorney. If you can prove what you just said about the false statements, you have a case. Feel free to contact me to discuss your rights, remedies, and evidence; I;ll be happy to help.
Re: Defamation / slander
The first step is the hardest - making the phone call to a lawyer.
Re: Defamation / slander
Assuming that your facts are true, you seem to have valid legal claims. Feel free to contact our office if you wish to discuss the matter further.