Elements of Libel and Slander:

http://injury.findlaw.com/torts-and-personal-...ander.html

plaintiffs must prove the following four elements:

First, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant made a false and defamatory statement concerning the plaintiff.
Second, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant made an unprivileged publication to a third party.
Third, the plaintiff must prove that the publisher acted at least negligently in publishing the communication.
Fourth, in some cases, the plaintiff must prove special damages.

Examples of defamatory statements are virtually limitless and may include any of the following:

A communication that suggests the plaintiff was involved in a serious crime involving moral turpitude or a felony
A communication that exposes a plaintiff to ridicule
A communication that reflects negatively on the plaintiff's character, morality, or integrity
A communication that impairs the plaintiff's financial well-being
A communication that suggests that the plaintiff suffers from a physical or mental defect that would cause others to refrain from associating with the plaintiff