Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Connecticut
slander
My wife and I were terminated from employment. The reason the owner gave us was because she heard a rumor we were leaving. Untrue. Since then, (and this pertains to my inquiry), an acquaintance of ours asked the manager why we were fired, and his reponse was that we were stealing. Also untrue. My wife's family and I owned and operated the same restaurant before she and I worked for the present owner. This statement certainly damages our professional reputation. What would prevent us from suing for slander or defamation and who would we sue?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: slander
You have a claim against the manager (and possibly the company if he was speaking as their agent)for slander per se.
Slander per se means you do not have to prove that you were damaged by what was said only that: it was said (published) to a 3rd person (acquaintance)charging you with a criminal act (stealing) and that it was false.
You only have 1 year to file a claim (from date it was piublished/spoken)otherwise you will be time barred.