The purpose of bringing a defamation case against an individual is to compensate the victim of false statements for any harm those statements caused. To this end, three types of damages can be awarded for defamation:
- Special damages: Special damages are real, economic damages. This includes loss of business or customers, loss of earning capacity, or medical bills for therapy.
- General damages: General damages are damages that are not economic. These damages are much harder to ascertain, as they can’t be calculated through reviewing receipts or simple economic analysis. General damages include things such as emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of reputation, and humiliation. These types of damages are not necessarily permitted in all defamation cases.
- Punitive damages: Punitive damages are sums of money that serve the purpose of punishing the defendant for willful or malicious conduct and deterring others from engaging in the same conduct. The amount awarded for punitive damages cannot exceed the number of actual damages.
In short, if you bring a successful defamation claim against someone else, the final award can be unpredictable.
You will likely receive compensation for the provable economic harm it caused, and depending on the circumstances, you may receive compensation for the distress and loss of social standing suffered from the statements.
In exceptional circumstances, you may even receive additional compensation if the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious.
If you’ve been the victim of defamation in Colorado, it is crucial to reach out to a Colorado defamation law firm. To speak with a Colorado defamation attorney, contact Baker Law Group to get the justice you deserve.
