Appellate Court Declares Damages! $40,000 Fine for Facebook Bashing - Ottawa Defamation Lawyers - Injured in Ontario by Libel or Slander - Call us!
A groundbreaking ruling from the British Columbia Court of Appeal, serves to remind all Canadians that comments posted on popular social networking sites can be grounds for legal proceedings. Dr. Patrick Michael Nesbitt was held liable by the court to pay $40,000 in damages after using a personal website and Facebook to defame his ex-spouse, Wendy Neufeld. The couple had been involved in court based custody proceedings which lead to Ms. Neufeld having primary custody of their daughter and Nesbitt being granted supervised access. Nesbitt made derogatory comments about Nufeld and published personal documents obtained from her computer in an attempt to show she was an unfit parent.
The Judges ordered Nesbitt to pay damages for defamation and invasion of privacy as well as ordered special legal costs be paid. The decision is the first of its kind and makes it clear that people are accountable for their comments even in the world of social networking. The inclusion of special legal costs in the ruling illustrates just how serious the Court is taking comments made online. Canadians should be aware that comments made in email, text message, web sites and social networking practices have the same legal effect as those made in speech, writing or other form of publication.
Quinn Thiele Mineault Grodzki LLP - Ottawa Accident, Injury Lawyers - Obtaining millions in settlements for our clients. 613-315-4878. Marc Nicholas Quinn
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