For a Laval woman, 000 costs 26,000 for a defamatory text

The message he sent to his nephew that he was cheating, when it was a lie, cost a woman in Laval so much that he was ordered to pay 000 26,000 in damages, for defamation.

“It simply came to our notice then. But it was sent to tease. […] If you can take the lesson, the comment you make, even in private, can lead to denial. You have to be careful what you say, especially on the Internet, “said Maxim Saint-Onge, a lawyer who specializes in defamation cases.

In the wake of several years of family dispute over inheritance, a woman from Laval decided to blame her nephew for writing “Cocold” to him during the 2019 Christmas festivities.

“Happy Holidays The Cocold!” We call it the pendulum back … the crisp news spreads quickly [sic] “, According to the verdict, she would have started.

The person in question, whose Newspaper Likes to keep identity a secret, he spreads gifts with his family members when he sees the message.

“He was angry, shocked, and did not particularly consider the proof of what he had read, but a doubt occupied him. In front of his family, he questions. [sa femme], The latter denies infidelity. Everyone is uncomfortable, […] The festivities will end, ”Judge Julie Messier explained in her decision.

Wanting to prove that she has nothing to be ashamed of, the wife decides to take legal action to “establish the falsity of the content of the text message and restore her reputation.”

After hearing her testimony, the magistrate retaliated by saying that her aunt “did not present evidence at trial” and acted “deliberately, pettyly” to hurt her nephew.

“She did not apologize and did not believe her writing had any consequences,” said Judge Messier, who ordered her to pay 19 19,000 in moral and disciplinary damages. To this is added 000 7,000, for the plaintiff’s attorney’s fees.

However, your Maxim Saint-Onge explained that more and more people are finding themselves in court for defamatory comments on the internet.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of such cases. […] Today we see a lot of people writing and sharing things that are harmful, with the aim of making it untrue or harmful, ”said Trivium’s lawyer.

If he finds the $ 26,000 sentence to be an “inconsistent amount,” it is not uncommon for offenders to spend several thousand dollars, demonstrating the seriousness of the case.