Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Virginia

I would like to file a defamation suit myself. A co-worker alleged (untrue, completely fabricated) that I was going to "go to the school and kill everyone"...he put it in writing. I think he is trying to deflect attention from himself and poor performance, but I have been teaching at the same school for 6 years, teaching 20+, am an anti-gun, anti-violence advocate (in public, can prove..) causing great harm-ruining reputation, I am on adminstrative leave (paid) pending a full investigation, was put through hell, taken to police dept, mental health-my wife is a licensed therapist! He needs to recant and be fired.


Asked on 1/28/10, 9:54 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Yes, if the allegations are in fact false, you may have a viable defamation claim for what's termed libel per se (inherently damaging to your business or profession) and without the need to prove damages.

The statute of limitations, however, I believe is one year, so you may not have much time and this is definitely not a matter which you would want to try handling on your own without an attorney(pro se).

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Answered on 2/02/10, 1:19 pm


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