Slander ???

[bluestar]

Bluestar from Maryland.... My husband's mother is in a nursing home after a fall a few months ago. Since 1988 We have had the sole responsibly of looking after her. She has lived with us for all these years.. One of the siblings decided to put a guest book in her room.. Some of the family sign and some do not. One of the family members has written slandererous remarks about my husband. This has caused him terrible emotional distress !!! He can't sleep or eat.. I have sent him to the doctors for chest pain which was stress related.. due to the remarks and ingratitude from the family member who addressed to my husband and signed the remark.. Do I have grounds for Slander or Libel ?? Thanks in advance

 

[JETX]

First, if the comments made are true, there is no grounds for libel (slander is spoken defamation, libel is written).

Generally, epithets and insults are not considered defamation since they are seen as outbursts of emotion, without real substance.

The fact that your husband placed a book their, and assuming that they were invited to write a comment, there is probably little chance of prevailing in libel if he takes exception to something written in the book. Additionally, other than some hard feelings and emotions, there is little to support any claims of specific damages. I would suggest removing the book to prevent further comments being made, or allowing others to note the previous comments made.