(This article is Part-3 in a series. For Part-2, click here.)
As you know, plaintiffs recently won a lawsuit against Alex Jones to the tune of $965 million, based on statements Jones made about the Sandy Hook school shooting.
Two points. Apparently the standard in these cases is: false and defamatory statements which cause a person emotional distress.
And the amount of the $$ award is, as far as I can tell, meant to be punitive. It is supposed to inflict pain, on the defendant, at a level where he can truly feel it. That means the award is based on how much money the defendant has.
So I spoke with my attorney. I was contemplating a defamation suit against a journalist for statements he made about me a year ago.
I asked how much money we could hope for at trial.
“About 65 dollars,” he said.
“That amount would cause the reporter sufficient pain?”
“Yes.”
“What would your fee be for handling the case?”
“53,346.87,” he said.
But what about this? Can’t a few of us find some defamatory statement made by a Pfizer or Moderna employee about anti-vaxers who refuse the COVID shot?