Mezzosoprano
New Member
I'm hoping you can all help me here. I am dealing with a very difficult, verbally abusive coworker who has a long history of doing the same thing at other offices( loud verbal abuse of the most non-confrontational coworker, alienating the patient base, refusing to compromise and cooperate, and some other generally obnoxious behaviors). I actively participate in a message board for our profession, and in frustration and to get support.....I told of her antics in great detail. I use a pseudonym and do not tell my location, and used a nickname to describe her also. She looked for the site(as is her right, it's not private...though I suspect but have no proof that she was looking to see what I'd written, not actually wanting to participate).....found it and "recognized herself" in the posts. The way the story unfolded is unusual, so I can certainly see how she figured it all out.
That said....she is now making veiled threats about "her lawyer advising her" to consider suing me for libel, and has told me "her lawyer has told her that I am to avoid her, not talk to her except in professional matters, not join in office chit chat when she is there", and loves to pick up her cell phone, look at me, and say "oh yeah, I need to call my attorney at lunch".
In trying to read online, I find both answers....yes, it's libel even if both of you were anonymous(only one site said that), and no, it's not libel unless the story is FALSE and there has been loss of income. As a single mom, it would be a hardship to have to retain a lawyer when she's most likely just using the "Attorney" bit to intimidate me....and is there even reason to? The stories are true, I have witnesses to the events, and people who would agree that this is STANDARD behavior for her. Oh, and she tattled to the boss, who panicked and asked me to delete the posts, which I did immediately.
Should I be concerned?
That said....she is now making veiled threats about "her lawyer advising her" to consider suing me for libel, and has told me "her lawyer has told her that I am to avoid her, not talk to her except in professional matters, not join in office chit chat when she is there", and loves to pick up her cell phone, look at me, and say "oh yeah, I need to call my attorney at lunch".
In trying to read online, I find both answers....yes, it's libel even if both of you were anonymous(only one site said that), and no, it's not libel unless the story is FALSE and there has been loss of income. As a single mom, it would be a hardship to have to retain a lawyer when she's most likely just using the "Attorney" bit to intimidate me....and is there even reason to? The stories are true, I have witnesses to the events, and people who would agree that this is STANDARD behavior for her. Oh, and she tattled to the boss, who panicked and asked me to delete the posts, which I did immediately.
Should I be concerned?