In the United States, we enjoy marvelous freedoms, including the freedom of speech. That freedom comes with the responsibility not to make false statements about someone. A good name and reputation in the community are precious things. When someone falsely ruins your good name, you may have the right to pursue a defamation claim for libel or slander.
At Raynes McCarty we have represented both famous public figures and private citizens whose reputations have been falsely attacked. We work not only to recover for the damages caused by the defamation but also to undo the damage through retractions and apologies.
- Richie Ashburn Recovers Policy Limits for Slander When Phillies legend Richie Ashburn was slandered by a local newspaper, he sought out his friend Arthur Raynes to represent him. Because of Mr. Ashburn's status as a "public figure," we needed to prove that the slander was done recklessly, which we established through prompt investigation and early discovery. Faced with a clear look at its own poor journalism, the paper offered its insurance policy limits and an apology.
- Publisher Apologizes and Pays for Casting Scientist in a "False Light" Renowned British biologist Derek Bromhall was shocked when he saw his name being associated with a book about cloning that he thought was a hoax. Dr. Bromhall retained Raynes McCarty to restore his reputation. Although there was no claim for libel (since no false statement was made), Arthur Raynes creatively argued that the publisher, Lippincott, had cast Dr. Bromhall in a "false light." By boxing the publisher and author into a corner during the pre-trial stages, Mr. Raynes persuaded federal Judge John Fullam to declare the entire book to be "a fraud and a hoax." During trial, the case resolved. Lippincott issued a formal written apology, and the defendants paid a confidential settlement reported in the press as being more than ever before awarded in Pennsylvania for this type of case.