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    wadenote's Avatar
    wadenote Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jul 16, 2007, 10:04 AM
    Sue a business for slander
    Do I need a retainer fee to sue a company for slander?
    s_cianci's Avatar
    s_cianci Posts: 5,472, Reputation: 760
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    #2

    Jul 16, 2007, 03:00 PM
    Practically any attorney would want a retainer before agreeing to take your case. Generally this can range from $500 to $5000, depending on how complex the attorney anticipates your case will be. Of course, you can always represent yourself but that's really not advisable in a slander case as such cases tend to be complex. That said, be prepared to pay a substantial amount in attorney's fees. However, if your case has merit, your attorney can and should include the legal fees as part of the damages sought. Generally, to make a slander case stick, you have to prove that you suffered real damages as a result of false statements made either directly about you or that directly impacted you in a negative manner and caused you to suffer a measurable loss as a result.
    excon's Avatar
    excon Posts: 21,482, Reputation: 2992
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    #3

    Jul 17, 2007, 05:11 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by wadenote
    do I need a retainer fee to sue a company for slander?
    Hello wade:

    When a lawyer is absolutely convinced he's going to win, he'll take the case on a contingency (percentage) basis, cause he'll make more that way. But when a lawyer isn't sure if he can win, he's going to charge by the hour.

    Unless you have a slam dunk case, you're going to have to pay up front. Slander is a SPOKEN lie - that's hard to prove, so it's not looking good for you. Libel, however, is a WRITTEN lie and is much easier to prove - but still not a slam dunk.

    Sooooo, I'd say you have to come up with some bucks.

    excon
    wadenote's Avatar
    wadenote Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Jul 23, 2007, 10:48 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by wadenote
    do I need a retainer fee to sue a company for slander?
    I have witness that heard the slander that the business owner stated about me.
    I have one witness and I also had niece in the store she a baby. She cuss and stated lies about me and her coowner will I have a case when it spoken language
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #5

    Jul 24, 2007, 06:15 PM
    As noted a "witness" and the such are not always the best evidence, there will be issues of them not appearing in court, them forgetting or the defense attorney making a fool of them.

    And cursing you will not be the issue, but what they said may be.

    Most likely you can expect at least a 5000 retainer and more money to pay if they actually have to go to court.

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