A parent sent a letter to my employer at school demanding I was incompetent and be fired after taking her 17 year old son to the school doctor w/o her permission after he requested he be checked for broken ribs after a fall at home. I was not found in error for following potential abuse protocol. I live in a small community and she has also said unture statements in the community. I no longer feel I want to handle the health duties at school for fear of a parent trying to sue and am not going to do this next school year so I am losing this small but important income after 15 years of flawless service. Isn't this defamation of character?

Parents complain, parents sue, if you are in fear of being sued you can find almost no job today anywhere.

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Originally Posted by adkperson

A parent sent a letter to my employer at school demanding I was incompetent and be fired after taking her 17 year old son to the school doctor w/o her permission after he requested he be checked for broken ribs after a fall at home. I was not found in error for following potential abuse protocol. I live in a small community and she has also said unture statements in the community. I no longer feel I want to handle the health duties at school for fear of a parent trying to sue and am not going to do this next school year so I am losing this small but important income after 15 years of flawless service. Isn't this defamation of character?

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For the future, do you carry insurance? People sue other people all the time and are a lot less enthusiastic when "you" are represented by an insurance company.

Just on a personal note and I know it's not about winning and losing but if the parent drives you out after you have been found not in error don't her complaints sound legitimate to the community? I always figure the people who hear these rumors and complaints look at all sides and make their own decisions and what is very important to you probably is meaningless to other people, simply droning in their ears.

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Originally Posted by adkperson

A parent sent a letter to my employer at school demanding I was incompetent and be fired after taking her 17 year old son to the school doctor w/o her permission after he requested he be checked for broken ribs after a fall at home. I was not found in error for following potential abuse protocol. I live in a small community and she has also said unture statements in the community. I no longer feel I want to handle the health duties at school for fear of a parent trying to sue and am not going to do this next school year so I am losing this small but important income after 15 years of flawless service. Isn't this defamation of character?

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I fired that off before I was finished!

No, it's not defamation of character unless first she alleges something untrue - she is entitled to question your actions and, second, it appears you are leaving your employment for fear of being sued by another parent, not out of anything she said, causing your own monetary loss. I don't see that you've been financially harmed by "her."

Well there are some issues here. First the letter does not constitute defamation. You did take the son for treatment and she is entitled to her opionion about your competence. Since you were exonerated by your employer, then her letter bears no weight.

However, if she is continuing to slander you by telling people untrue things about you, then you MIGHT have a cause of action. If her actions are affecting your ability to do the part of your job involving health duties, that can be cited as damages. I would see if you can find an attorney to give you a free consult as to whether they would take the case.