Providing quality dental care in a friendly and welcoming environment is critical to a thriving dental business. Your experience and knowledge along with your integrity and dedication to your patients are just some of the reasons why your patients trust you so much with their dental health. It can take a while to build up a good standing in your local market and depending on where you are practicing, there could be plenty of other dental practices vying for the same patient pool. A solid reputation can give you a competitive edge over other dental practices.
Similarly, if you are facing false accusations or you are receiving negative reviews, this can damage the reputation you worked so hard to achieve. Depending on the nature of the accusations, your career could be on the line. Especially with the digital environment we live in today, even just one single antagonistic comment or rumor about legal issues could spread quickly and have an immediate adverse impact on your business.
If you are being wrongly accused of misconduct, you should not wait to speak to a lawyer. California dentists can call the Los Angeles business litigation attorneys at Leiva Law Firm for more information on what to do to mitigate the damage that can be done to a dental business.
Defending Against Defamation Lawsuits
False accusations or statements that are presented as factual which harms the reputation of another party are considered defamation. Defamation takes on two main forms:
Libel: False statements that are in writing.
Slander: False statements that are spoken.
It is imperative to confront defamation proactively because a dentist’s reputation is one of their most valuable assets. Filing a lawsuit against a party who is engaging in defamation may be the right way to dispel such negative claims. For success with a suit, the following must be proven:
- The alleged false statement was communicated to a third party or published to one.
- The statement was untrue.
- As a result of the false statement either published or communicated, your reputation was damaged.
- The party making the false statement did so negligently or with malice.
Several scenarios can lead to a defamation lawsuit. For dentists, the most common include a patient who is unhappy with their care or experience at a dental office or a former employee who is angry and disgruntled.
It is important to note that not every cynical statement is defamation. When personal opinions are expressed, what is said may be less than complimentary. However, people have the right to speak freely. Defamation only comes into play when what is said is provably false and the ramifications of the untruths result in damage to another party’s reputation.
Speak to an Attorney at Leiva Law Firm Today
False claims against a dentist can cause incredible harm to both a practice and a provider. Such statements can lead to irreparable damage to a business and the dental professional’s reputation. Legal action may be necessary to remedy such a situation.
If you need help with a defamation lawsuit in California, please call Leiva Law Firm at (818) 519-4465 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Los Angeles litigation lawyer.
