North Carolina Defamation, Slander and Libel Claims

North Carolina law allows individuals and businesses to pursue claims for defamation, including libel (written) and slander (spoken), when false statements published in the community, including on social media, damage their reputation. Biazzo Law represents clients across North Carolina in investigating, filing, and litigating defamation cases arising from online posts, social media, news reports, and real-world communications.

Defamation Law in North Carolina

Under North Carolina law, defamation is generally, a false statement of fact about a person that is published to a third party and causes reputational harm. The state recognizes two primary forms of defamation: libel, which covers written or otherwise recorded statements, and slander, which covers spoken statements.

To bring a defamation claim in North Carolina, a plaintiff generally must show: a false and defamatory statement of fact, that the statement was “of and concerning” the plaintiff, publication to at least one other person, and resulting injury to reputation. North Carolina courts additionally analyze whether the plaintiff is a private individual or a public figure, which affects the level of fault that must be proven.

Libel, Slander and Online Defamation

Libel in North Carolina includes written or graphic statements in fixed form, such as articles, emails, text messages, websites, and social media posts that falsely damage someone’s reputation. Slander covers spoken false statements made in person, over the phone, in meetings, or in other oral settings that are communicated to others.

With the growth of digital communication in cities like Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, and across North Carolina, many defamation cases now involve online reviews, social media attacks, and viral content that can spread rapidly and cause serious harm to individuals and local businesses. North Carolina law treats online written content as libel, and the same elements, defenses, and damages rules apply whether the publication appears on a national platform or a small community forum.

Defamation Per Se and Damages

North Carolina recognizes “defamation per se,” where certain categories of statements are considered so inherently harmful that the law presumes damages without the plaintiff having to prove specific financial loss. Defamation per se generally includes statements falsely accusing someone of an infamous crime, alleging they have an infectious disease, disparaging them in their trade or profession, or otherwise subjecting them to public ridicule, contempt, or disgrace.

When a statement qualifies as defamation per se, injured parties in North Carolina may recover presumed general damages for humiliation, reputational injury, and emotional distress, and in appropriate cases may also pursue punitive damages where the defendant acted with malice or willful or wanton misconduct. North Carolina caps punitive damages at three times the compensatory damages awarded or $250,000 dollars, whichever is greater under Chapter 1D of the North Carolina General Statutes.

Fault Standards, Defenses, and Time Limits

The level of fault required depends on the status of the person bringing the claim: private individuals typically must show at least negligence regarding the truth or falsity of the statement, while public officials and public figures must prove “actual malice” (knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth). Defendants may raise defenses such as truth, opinion (as opposed to provably false factual assertions), and various privileges (including absolute and qualified privilege) for certain communications.

North Carolina applies a one-year statute of limitations for defamation claims, including libel and slander, which generally runs from the date the defamatory statement is first published. Because the limitations period is short and online content can change or disappear, potential plaintiffs in North Carolina should act promptly to preserve evidence and evaluate their options.

How Biazzo Law Helps North Carolina Clients

Biazzo Law assists North Carolina clients—from professionals and business owners to public figures and private individuals—in evaluating whether statements about them rise to actionable defamation under state law. Representation commonly includes reviewing the publication, assessing whether it qualifies as libel or slander per se, analyzing potential defenses, and advising on appropriate remedies including retractions, cease-and-desist letters, and civil litigation.

For clients across North Carolina, Biazzo Law develops tailored strategies to address reputational attacks, including online defamation, negative reviews, and defamatory social media campaigns, while navigating the state’s damages rules and one-year filing deadline. Individuals and businesses in North Carolina who believe they have been defamed can contact Biazzo Law to discuss their situation, time-sensitive options, and potential next steps under North Carolina defamation law.