In the age of social media, posting thoughts and opinions has become easier than before. But recognising the importance of words is also significant as one could end up with legal trouble like Jacquelyn Hammond, a New York resident, who has been ordered to pay a sum of $500,000 for posting false accusation.
In November 2015, Hammond took to Facebook to accuse her former friend of killing her son. In reference to her friend Davyne Dial, she wrote “I didn’t get drunk and kill my kid,” according to a lawsuit cited by WKYC.
Hammond was referring to her former friend’s son whom she had lost decades ago in a gun accident involving another little boy but Dial had nothing to do with his death.
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Subsequently, Dial sued Hammond for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
An IANS report quotes Dial who said that there are no filters on social media to say whatever you think behind the safety of your screen. Dial claimed that her former friend had made other untrue statements through the years, but when this happened, it was very painful for her.
Last month, the announcement was delivered. Dial was awarded $250,000 in actual damages and $250,000 in punitive damages, for a total judgment of $500,000.
