Virginia Medical Malpractice Blog - Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C.

Defamation Lawsuit Against Dixie Chicks

A defamation lawsuit against the Dixie Chicks was dismissed this week in federal court. The suit sought damages for comments made by members of the band at a 2007 rally and on their website suggesting that the plaintiff was involved in the murder of his 8 year old stepson.

The man insisted that these accusations were false. However, the U.S. District Court judge ruled that the plaintiff could not show malice on the part of the country music singers.

In Virginia, defamation consist of three elements: publication of a statement (i.e. saying or writing it to someone else); the falsity of that statement which harms the person it is about; and fault on the part of the defendant.

Fault can be found from actual malice or from reckless disregard of the truth.

If your reputation has been injured by another person making false statements about you, contact an attorney at Williamson & Lavecchia to protect your rights.