Slander and Libel Case???

[sonar732]

Hello,

Last week, I was looking at a hospital owned computer when an employee walked by. I found out yesterday that she told my supervisor that I was looking at confidential material and for that I was written up. Do I have a slander and libel case?

[lesrae]

That depends really - were you looking at stuff you shouldn't have been?

[sonar732]

That depends really - were you looking at stuff you shouldn't have been?

Do you think that I would've asked if I was looking at stuff that I shouldn't have? Of Course I wasn't looking at anything. In fact, there wasn't anything on the desk.

[bradclark1]

You have a case of your word against hers/his. Just ask to talk to your supervisor saying you weren't looking at anything or whatever, and you feel that you have been dealt with unfairly and you weren't even approached about the matter before you were written up.

[sonar732]

I did talk to the supervisor...she told me "you put yourself in that situation and have to suffer the consequences for it"

By the way...the IT login scripts will prove what I was looking at.

[Konovalov]

By the way...the IT login scripts will prove what I was looking at.

Did you point out this avenue of evidence to your supervisor or does your supervisor consider the matter 'dealt with'? From what I am hearing it sounds like you haven't really had much say in the matter. :nope:

[sonar732]

As a good friend told me...you were convicted before walking in the door and it didn't matter what evidence you brought forward.

[Konovalov]

As a good friend told me...you were convicted before walking in the door and it didn't matter what evidence you brought forward.

:yep: Poor people skills too from that supervisor. :damn: :damn:

[August]

As a good friend told me...you were convicted before walking in the door and it didn't matter what evidence you brought forward.

Anything put in writing should provide you the opportunity to add a response. Get the IT info and include it.

Depending on your particular work situation you might also consider going to your human services department and filing a complaint/rebuttal with them.

Before you do anything though secure proof of your innocence.

[Kapitan]

do you have reason to look at confidential stuff?

do you have the clearence?

do you have excusses for you actions?

do you have a good lawyer?


if no then WHY NOT?

well worth reviewing them four points but normaly if you say i think ive been treated unfairly, id like to say im taking this further to court then you find 8/10 they will back down and review it.

worked for me but it dont always

[sonar732]

It don't matter now...I was just fired.

[August]

It don't matter now...I was just fired.

Three words:

Get a lawyer.

[bradclark1]

Go to Department of Labor and make a complaint.

[Marhkimov]

Did you get fired BECAUSE you were accused of looking at confidential stuff?

That is total BS... The real world sucks.

[Ishmael]

Get a lawyer and file a wrongful termination suit. Also check and see if RI has a state labor board and make a wrongful termination complaint with them. Consider suing your supervisor as well as the complainant. Also, if you have any free time on your hands, picket the hospital administration building.

[sonar732]

When I went into the office requesting the name of who accused me, they told me that it was against hospital policy to give out the name. I mentioned that according to the constitution's 6th amendment, I have the right to face my accuser in the court of law with a jury of my peers. "Take it up with Personel". After leaving the office, I got a phone call to meet them in another office and was fired.

The funny thing about it is I'm at peace and happy I'm not there.

[Marhkimov]

The funny thing about it is I'm at peace and happy I'm not there.
Good. I guess you are all set to move on.

Leave history where it belongs... behind you. :) :up:

[Scion]

Do not let something like that tarnish your image. Take them to court. Sue the bastards. Make them pay for treating you like trash, by taking them to the cleaners.

You have every right to be happy to be out of there. Make sure that they learn the hard way that you are not a pushover, and they screwed their chances with a good employee.

[Etienne]

You do have ground for a wrongful termination case. Call a lawyer right away, and arrange to have the IT records subpoenated before they're deleted or misplaced or whatever.

You can't allow that sort of thing to go on.

[August]

The beauty part of getting a lawyer is that he's likely to take such a case on contingency, thus costing you little or nothing, and you probably could use the money while you're looking for a better job.

Scion is right. Getting fired like that could easily hurt you in the future.

Of course this all depends on whether you've told us the whole story. No offense but this being the anonymous internet and all...

:D

[sonar732]

When I attempted to call lawyers around this small town of Quincy, IL...no one would even take the slander case. The one that I did find was going to charge $3000 upfront.

EDIT: I just sent an email to the ACLU Illinois chapter requesting help.

[XabbaRus]

Is there no union to help you out? Legal aid, anything like that?

[sonar732]

There isn't a union at the hospital...in fact, there was a person who asked if there ever was one and the administration response was typical management of the cost would reflect in how much we charge patients.

On certain Wednesdays, we can consult a lawyer for free at the county courthouse. Whether or not they take the case is another story I'd imagine. I emailed the ACLU, so I'm expecting a call next week from them.

[MadMike]

I would pursue a lawsuit (I experienced something similar, but got back at the tax cheating SOB's through the IRS). Is there video surveillance overlooking the desk which can be used as evidence?
In all cases, do not contact the media- they'll go out of they're way to humiliate you.
Try Tom Martino- http://www.troubleshooter.com/
He may assist you or find you a pro bono lawyer.

Good luck!

Mike