Terwilliger v. Wands
Court of Appeals of New York
17 N.Y. 54 (1858)
Relevant factsFree
Wands (defendant) spread a false rumor that Terwilliger (plaintiff) was having an affair with a married woman and scheming to keep her husband imprisoned to continue the affair; upon learning of the rumor, Terwilliger became mentally and physically ill, requiring medical treatment and additional help with his farm work, but presented no evidence anyone treated him differently or believed the rumor, and the trial court found Wands not liable.
IssueFree
Whether, when a defendant's statement is not itself defamatory, liability for damages based on a defamation claim requires the plaintiff to prove special damage to his reputation caused by the statement.