Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Minnesota

Libel and defamation

I worked with a licensed psychologist, he retired before being fired, and was asked to give a report of the program we worked under. His report consisted of defaming my character. He wrote I had mental and emotional problems that were refractory to treatment, and that I should never be allowed to work with children again, and I should be terminated. Letter was given to the big boss, and was subsequently given to my supervisor, was typed up by a receptionist, and others have seen it. There has never been a complaint from family, youth or my supervisor about my conduct, in fact they state my work is professional, ethical and they enjoy having me around. Can I go after this Psychologist, he never tested me, never spoke with me, never had my consent to do anything, and had no supervisory capacity over me. I am left trying to clean up all the bad things he stated before he left. WHat he wrote in this letter, could in fact cost me my ability to practice anywhere, and lose my license (I am a social worker).,...HELP PLEASE!!


Asked on 5/22/07, 10:44 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Regina Mullen Legal Data Services, PLC

Re: Libel and defamation

Hmm. Sounds like he effectively pushed one of your buttons.

You have a LOT of options, but the first is to act as you would counsel someone else to do. Why are you allowing his statement enough validity to cause you to go off on a tangent about him never testing you? Why do you need to "go after him," when you started off by saying he was about to be fired.

Take a breath and then do something rational. If the report he wrote is unfair, then deal with it with the remaining administrators openly and without hysteria.

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Answered on 5/23/07, 2:54 pm


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