Jones & Keller, P.C. attorney Nicole Westbrook is leading the defamation case for Pastor Steve Smothermon, the longtime leader of Legacy Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Smothermon filed a defamation lawsuit against Keith Hodge, Kevin Hodge, and Hodgetwins, LLC, the internet personalities known collectively as the “Hodgetwins,” whose Facebook page reaches more than 6.3 million… Read more »
Your reputation is one of your most valuable assets as a medical professional. Years of education, specialized training, and patient trust can be severely damaged when false statements spread throughout your workplace. Workplace defamation often reaches far beyond an uncomfortable interaction with a colleague. It can jeopardize hospital privileges, licensing opportunities, referrals, leadership positions, research… Read more »
A rumor posted online, a false complaint made to a licensing board, or an inaccurate news report can quickly damage a hard-earned personal or professional reputation. For high-achieving professionals, reputational harm often translates into lost business opportunities, damaged professional relationships, and lasting financial consequences. If you believe someone has made false statements about you, one… Read more »
Defamation happens when someone makes a false statement of fact, communicates it to someone else, and damages your reputation in the process. Professionals often face false accusations, such as unfounded malpractice or fraud allegations, that can threaten careers, business relationships, professional licenses, and livelihoods. Determining whether these claims are actionable requires understanding Colorado’s defamation laws…. Read more »
A physician’s reputation carries significant professional and financial value. Patient volume, referral relationships, hospital privileges, board certifications, and partnership equity all rest on colleagues’ and patients’ trust in your competence. When a false statement damages that trust, the harm is not abstract. It can show up in canceled referrals, stalled credentialing, and lost income. Colorado… Read more »
Not all false statements are treated equally in Colorado courts, and this distinction can determine the outcome of a case before it reaches a jury. Some accusations are so inherently damaging that harm is presumed, while others require plaintiffs to provide evidence of specific losses. Understanding the difference between defamation per se vs per quod… Read more »
Defamation is a false statement of fact, communicated to a third party, that damages a person’s reputation. When that statement targets a nurse, whether it comes from a former patient, a coworker, a supervisor, or an anonymous online reviewer, it can jeopardize the very license and credentials the nurse spent years earning. Understanding defamation in… Read more »
A false online review can quickly reach patients, investors, clients, and others who search your name or business. For professionals whose reputations directly affect their livelihoods, the consequences can extend well beyond a negative rating. If your business is being targeted, the question naturally becomes, can you sue someone for a bad review? The answer… Read more »
When a news station publishes or broadcasts false information about you, the consequences can be immediate and severe. A respected physician may lose patients. A hedge fund manager may lose investors. A technology executive may lose career opportunities or board positions. Reputational harm can spread quickly, especially when it reaches television, online news platforms, and… Read more »
Many doctors believe that a baseless allegation from a patient is easy to challenge in court. In Colorado, this is often not the case. State law provides patients with significant protection to discuss their care, even in strong terms, and a doctor who sues over the wrong type of statement may risk more than just… Read more »