Defamation claims require affirmative proof that recipients understood reports as defamatory

Evidence

Inferences that the reports were understood as defamatory and that they caused or contributed to Sunward’s financial difficulties are here supported only by speculation and conjecture. The record is devoid of evidence that anyone ever understood the credit reports in the defamatory manner inferred by the plaintiff. — Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide to Clear…, 238

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide to Clear…, 238
• XREF: connects to: A picture-based libel claim requires pleading the picture’s defamatory character in the complaint — Henry M. Hart, Jr. and Albert M. Sacks, The Legal Process: Basic Problems in…, 1113; Defendants answer lawsuits by denying claims, raising affirmative defenses, or filing counterclaims. — G. Alan Tarr, Judicial Process and Judicial…, 1076