Defamation (Libel/Slander) Damages Calculator

Estimate damages for a defamation lawsuit. Calculate economic harm, reputational damages, and potential punitive damages for libel (written) and slander (spoken) claims.

⚖️ Tort Law📐 Defamation Damages = Actual Harm + Presumed Damages + Punitives

Lost income due to defamation ($)

Lost business value ($)

Defamation type

Defendant type

Please enter valid values.

Formula & Reference

Variable	Formula	Units
Defamation (Libel/Slander) Damages Calculator	Defamation Damages = Actual Harm + Presumed Damages + Punitives	$ estimate

Step-by-Step Examples

Example 1

False Criminal Allegation

$50K lost income, $100K lost business, defamation per se, private defendant.

Econ = $150K | Reputational = $150K x 4 x 1.2 = $720K
Punitives: $150K x 2 = $300K
Total: $1.17M - false crime allegations are highest value

✓ ~$1.17M estimate

Example 2

Online Review Libel

$20K business loss, libel, private.

Reputational = $20K x 3 x 1.2 = $72K
Total: $92K
False negative reviews are increasingly litigated

✓ ~$92,000

Example 3

Slander by Coworker

$10K income loss, slander, private.

Reputational = $10K x 2 x 1.2 = $24K
Total: $34K
Must prove actual damages for slander (not per se)

✓ ~$34,000

Real-World Applications

⚖️

Defamation Victims

Understand the potential damages from false statements that harmed you.

💼

Defamation Attorneys

Quick case value estimate for libel and slander claims.

🏢

Business Owners

Know your options when false reviews or statements harm your business.

📰

Media Organizations

Understand defamation exposure from editorial and reporting decisions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

⚠️

Not knowing the public figure standard

Public figures (celebrities, politicians, executives) must prove 'actual malice' - the defendant knew the statement was false or acted with reckless disregard for its truth. This is a much higher bar than for private figure defamation.

⚠️

Waiting too long - short statute of limitations

Most states have a 1-2 year statute of limitations for defamation claims. This is shorter than most other torts. Act quickly.

⚠️

Demanding a retraction first

In some states, demanding and not receiving a retraction is a prerequisite to certain damages. In others, retraction may mitigate damages. Consult an attorney before sending any demand letters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is defamation per se? ▾

Statements presumed harmful without proving actual damages: false criminal accusations, claims of having a loathsome disease (historically STDs), statements injuring professional reputation, or claims of sexual immorality. These allow presumed and punitive damages.

What is the difference between libel and slander? ▾

Libel: written or published defamatory statements (includes online posts, social media, news articles). Slander: spoken defamatory statements. Libel is generally easier to prove and worth more in damages because it's more permanent.

Can I sue for a bad online review? ▾

Only if the review contains false statements of fact (not opinions). 'The food was terrible' is an opinion. 'The restaurant gave me food poisoning' is a factual claim that could be defamatory if false and caused damage.

What defenses exist against defamation claims? ▾

Truth is an absolute defense. Opinion (not presented as fact) is a defense. Privilege applies to certain contexts (legislative proceedings, judicial testimony). Fair comment applies to matters of public concern.

Can you defame a company? ▾

Yes. Businesses can sue for defamation (called trade libel or disparagement). The business must prove the statement was false, published, and caused actual economic damage. It cannot recover for emotional distress.