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Libel and Slander Defamation in Florida

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Florida Defamation Lawyer

Alan Sackrin — Board Certified Civil Trial Expert — Free Consultation

Free Case Evaluation  ·  Broward County & South Florida
Has Someone Defamed You in Florida?
If someone has made false statements about you online, on social media, in print, or in a broadcast : and those statements have damaged your reputation or cost you business : you may have a defamation claim under Florida law. Alan Sackrin is a Board Certified Civil Trial Expert serving clients throughout Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, and South Florida for 40+ years.
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Board Certified Civil Trial Expert  ·  40+ years  ·  Hallandale Beach  ·  601 N. Federal Highway, Suite 301

Who We Represent in Florida Defamation Cases

Alan Sackrin represents individuals and businesses throughout South Florida who have suffered real, documentable harm from false statements. The defamation clients who benefit most from legal representation are those with economic losses, lost business revenue, damaged professional reputations, lost employment, or lost professional licenses that can be proven with evidence.

Our Broward County defamation practice handles cases involving:

  • Business owners harmed by false Google, Yelp, or competitor reviews
  • Doctors, lawyers, and licensed professionals attacked online with false accusations
  • Executives and C-suite professionals defamed on LinkedIn or social media
  • Real estate professionals whose licenses or income have been damaged by false statements
  • Private individuals whose reputations have been damaged by false statements with documented economic consequences

Defamation Case Results

Alan Sackrin has obtained settlements and verdicts for clients defamed on Facebook, Twitter/X, Google Reviews, Yelp, Instagram, and by news media. Representative results include:

$85,000
Libel lawsuit for egregious false statements made on Twitter/X and Facebook
$35,000
Online libel by an ex-boyfriend who anonymously posted false statements about our client

Note: Many defamation settlements are subject to confidentiality agreements. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case.

Alan Sackrin — Florida Defamation Attorney

Alan Sackrin is a Board Certified Civil Trial Expert — a designation awarded by The Florida Bar to attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional trial competence through experience, peer review, and examination. He has practiced personal injury and defamation law in South Florida for 40+ years, representing clients in Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach County.

Alan contributed to a Bloomberg article on cyber defamation and the standard of proof for plaintiffs in Florida defamation cases. His office is located at 601 N. Federal Highway, Suite 301, Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009.

When you are ready to speak with a South Florida defamation lawyer, call (954) 458-8655 or submit your information online for a free initial consultation.

Speak With a Florida Defamation Lawyer Today
Alan Sackrin offers a free initial consultation to evaluate your defamation claim. He serves clients throughout Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, and South Florida. Defamation cases in Florida have a two-year statute of limitations so do not wait to get legal advice.

Do You Have a Florida Defamation Claim?

Under Florida law, a defamation claim requires five elements, established by the Florida Supreme Court in Jews for Jesus, Inc. v. Rapp, 997 So. 2d 1098 (Fla. 2008):

  1. Publication — the false statement was communicated to at least one other person
  2. Falsity — the statement was factually false, not merely an opinion
  3. Fault — the person who made it acted negligently (private individuals) or with actual malice (public figures)
  4. Actual damages — the statement caused real harm to your reputation, business, or income
  5. Defamatory meaning — the statement would be understood as damaging to your reputation by a reasonable person

The most common barrier to a successful defamation claim is proving actual, documentable damages. If you have evidence of lost business revenue, lost employment, lost professional opportunities, or quantifiable reputational harm, you are far more likely to have a viable claim worth pursuing.

Where Florida Defamation Occurs

Defamation can occur in writing (libel) or verbally (slander). Our Fort Lauderdale defamation practice handles cases involving false statements made in:

Online & Social Media

  • Google Reviews and Google Maps
  • Yelp, RipOffReport, and review sites
  • Facebook posts, groups, and comments
  • Instagram posts and comments
  • LinkedIn posts and comments
  • Twitter/X (formerly Twitter)
  • TikTok and YouTube videos
  • Nextdoor and Reddit
  • Blogs, websites, and forums
  • Email and internal intranets

Traditional Media & Public Settings

  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Television and radio broadcasts
  • Speeches and public statements
  • HOA and condominium meetings
  • Court filings (with limited exceptions)

Florida and Federal Laws That Apply to Defamation Cases

Florida defamation cases are governed by both state and federal law. Key statutes include Florida Statute Chapter 770 (which requires 5 days’ written notice to the defendant before filing a libel lawsuit), Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (which limits liability for third-party content on platforms like Yelp and Google), and the Federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act. These laws interact in complex ways, particularly for online and social media defamation cases.

For a detailed analysis of how these laws apply to internet defamation, see our blog: Florida Defamation of Character Claims (2026 Guide).

Cost of a Florida Defamation Lawsuit

Defamation cases at Sackrin & Tolchinsky are handled on an hourly fee basis, not a contingency fee basis. Legal fees are based on time spent on the case. Additional costs include court filing fees (under $500), service of process, and, where applicable, deposition and court reporter costs. Alan offers a free initial consultation to evaluate your case before any fees are incurred.

Florida Defamation FAQ

QWhat is the difference between libel and slander?

Libel is written or published defamation including online posts, reviews, and articles. Slander is spoken defamation. Under Florida law both are actionable, but libel cases involving online content are the most common today.

QHow long do I have to file a defamation lawsuit in Florida?

Florida’s statute of limitations for defamation is two years from the date the defamatory statement was first published. Do not wait as evidence, screenshots, and witnesses become harder to secure over time. Call (954) 458-8655 as soon as possible.

QCan I sue someone for a bad review in Florida?

Possibly. A negative review that is a genuine opinion is protected speech. A review that states false facts, for example, claiming your business committed fraud when it did not, or fabricating events that never happened may be actionable defamation. The key question is whether the statement is false and factual, not merely critical.

QWhat damages can I recover in a Florida defamation case?

Florida recognizes both general damages (presumed harm to reputation) and special damages (documented economic losses such as lost business revenue, lost employment, or lost professional opportunities). In cases involving defamation per se, statements that are so obviously damaging that harm is presumed, damages may be awarded without proving specific economic loss.

QCan I sue someone who posted something anonymously?

Yes. Florida courts allow attorneys to subpoena platform records to unmask anonymous posters when there is a viable defamation claim. This is a common step in online defamation cases and something Alan Sackrin has experience pursuing.

QDoes Florida law require notice before filing a defamation lawsuit?

Yes. Under Florida Statute Chapter 770, before filing a libel lawsuit the party alleging defamation must give the defendant 5 days’ written notice of the claim. This pre-suit notice requirement applies to written defamation (libel). An attorney can handle this notice on your behalf.

More Florida Defamation Resources

For in-depth legal analysis of Florida defamation law, read Alan’s articles on our South Florida injury and defamation blog:

Ready to Speak With a Florida Defamation Lawyer?
Alan Sackrin is a Board Certified Civil Trial Expert with 40+ years of defamation case experience in Broward County and South Florida. He offers a free initial consultation by phone or in person at his Hallandale Beach office. Call today or submit your information online.
Sackrin & Tolchinsky, P.A.  ·  601 N. Federal Highway, Suite 301, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009  ·  (954) 458-8655