839 So. 2d 408 - Doe v. Grant’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

16 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 19 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “Defamatory words are those which tend to harm the reputation of another so as to lower him in the estimation of the community or to deter third persons from associating with him. To be actionable, the words must be communicated or published to someone other than the plaintiff. Words that expressly or implicitly accuse another of criminal conduct or that, by their nature, tend to injure one’s personal or professional reputation are considered defamatory per se. If the plaintiff proves publication of defamatory per se words, the elements of falsity, injury and malice are presumed, although they may be rebutted by the defendant. To rebut this presumption, defendants have the burden of proving a reasonable belief in the truth of the statements. [Citations omitted.]”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. 845 So. 2d 1140 - Johnson v. Camanga

2. “Publication refers to any nonprivileged communication of defamatory words, written or oral, and it renders a defendant liable `for all republication that is the natural and probable consequence of the author's act.'”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. 887 So. 2d 634 - Atwood v. Grand Casinos of Louisiana, Inc.