Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Virginia

is this defamation or slander

I was terminated from a company after 12 yrs of employment. I was accused of not following procedures for telephone transfers. I appealed this decison with the VA employment commission and won my unemployment case. they agreed they company used poor judgement in terminating me after all of the facts were submitted. I tried to sue for wrongful termination but was told that because Va is an at-will state that I had no recourse. Almost two years later, I am being sued by the companys insurance company accussing me of conspiring to defraud the company for loan proceeds. How can this be possible and is this slander by the company?


Asked on 11/19/03, 3:09 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jeffrey Sheldon

Re: is this defamation or slander

It might be libel (there are two types of defamation - libel, which is written, and slander which is verbal) if the company is suing you in bad faith and the claim is false.

As for why it can happen, the company can sue for fraud even if the unemployment division ruled in your favor. Unemployment decisions are not binding on other courts.

You need to take this seriously and get a lawyer to defend you if you have actually been sued. You can call the Virginia or Maryland State Bar for a reference. You need a lawyer who handles tort defense, particularly defamation. Make sure he or she has defamation experience before you hire him or her.

Good luck.

Jeff Sheldon

Jeffrey L. Sheldon, Esquire

The Sheldon Law Firm

17804 St. Lucia Isle Drive

Tampa, FL 33647

813.986.7580

(f) 813.986.7489

(Admitted in Fl., MD, D.C., and Pa.)

[email protected]

http://www.SheldonLawFirm.com

Disclaimer: This posting does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. It is not confidential, nor is it privileged, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult with an attorney for advice specific to the facts of your case.

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Answered on 11/19/03, 6:00 pm


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