Slander
What does "Slander" mean in law?
Slander is the form of defamation that occurs through spoken words or transient gestures. Unlike libel, slander generally requires proof of special damages — actual, quantifiable economic loss — unless it falls within the slander per se categories. Slander per se covers false statements imputing a serious crime, a loathsome disease, unfitness in one's business or profession, or serious sexual misconduct. In slander per se cases, damages are presumed.
Definition
Slander is the form of defamation that occurs through spoken words or transient gestures. Unlike libel, slander generally requires proof of special damages — actual, quantifiable economic loss — unless it falls within the slander per se categories. Slander per se covers false statements imputing a serious crime, a loathsome disease, unfitness in one's business or profession, or serious sexual misconduct. In slander per se cases, damages are presumed.
Example
A person falsely tells a group of colleagues that a coworker embezzles company funds. This spoken accusation of a serious crime constitutes slander per se.