Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Washington

slander on profession

[This may come under employement law as well.] I am a traveling nurse. I was on contract at a hospital. My agency got a call from the hospital's risk-management office stating that a patient had told them I had said, ''I'm not giving any morphine to someone from [rehabilitation facility].'' I never, ever made any such statement; never implied, by word or action, that I would refuse this patient pain medicine; never made any comments co-workers about this patient. The risk-management office told my agency that I'd be terminated for saying this. I was slandered by this patient, and never questioned by the hospital re: his allegations. Do I have a cause of action against the patient and/or the hospital? This is a slur on my professional standing, and I have been terminated over a month in advance of the end of my contract.


Asked on 5/16/03, 5:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gass Timothy Gass Law Office

Re: slander on profession

I'm not sure from your synopsis whether you are an employee or an independent contractor. If an employee, you can be terminated at any time for any non-constitutionally protected reason in Idaho. Idaho is an at-will employment state.

If you are an independent contractor, your rights are set forth in your contract and only by reading the same would I be able to tell you what your rights are according to your contract.

I give a half hour free consultation in my office and could read and evaluate your contract and your rights pursuant thereto at that time and give you advice on your next move. My teleph # is 208-345-3817 to make an appointment.

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Answered on 5/19/03, 11:41 am


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