Defamation is when one person makes a materially harmful false statement of fact about another person, business, or entity.
Vermont’s defamation laws mirror federal slander and libel standards.
Plaintiff Carries Burden of Proof
When it comes to defamation, there are certain burdens of proof that rest on the two parties. Plaintiffs must prove falsity. If a plaintiff has shown how a given statement is false, it is up to the defendant to show how the claim is, in fact, true.