Badame v. Lampke

89 S.E.2d 466, 242 N.C. 755, 1955 N.C. LEXIS 681

• Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
• Decided: October 19, 1955
• Docket: 243
• Status: Published

Opinion

JOHNSON, J.

Decision here turns on whether the words alleged to. have been spoken of the plaintiff are actionable per se.

Defamatory words may be actionable per se, that is, in themselves, or they may be actionable per quod, that is, only upon allegation and proof of special damage. However, both classes of words are actionable for the single reason that they cause pecuniary damage to those concerning whom they are maliciously spoken. The difference between the two classes of words is in the mode of proving the resultant damage. As to words actionable per se, the law treats their injurious character as a fact of common acceptance, and consequently the courts take judicial notice of it. Where such words are spoken, the. law raises a prima facie presumption of malice and a conclusive presumption of legal injury and damage, entitling the victim of the defamation to recover damages, nominal at least, without specific proof of injury or damage. Deese v. Collins, 191 N.C. 749, 133 S.E. 92; Oates v. Trust Co., 205 N.C. 14, 169 S.E. 869; Broadway v. Cope, 208 N.C. 85, 179 S.E. 452; Kindley v. Privette, 241 N.C. 140, 84 S.E. 2d 660; 33 Am. Jur., Libel and Slander, Sections 5, 266, and 282. On the other hand, if the injurious character of the spoken statement appears, not on its face as a matter of general acceptance, but only in consequence of extrinsic, explanatory facts showing its injurious effect, such utterance is said to be actionable only per quod, and in such cases the injurious character of the words must be pleaded and proved, and in order to recover there must be allegation and proof of some special damage. Deese v. Collins, supra.

It is well settled that false words imputing to a merchant or business man conduct derogatory to his character and standing as a business man and tending to prejudice him in his business are actionable, and words so uttered may be actionable per se. Broadway v. Cope, supra. However, the better reasoned decisions seem to hold that in order to be actionable without proof of special damage, the false words (1) must touch the plaintiff in his special trade or occupation, and (2) must contain an imputation necessarily hurtful in its effect on his business. That is to say, it is not enough that the words used tend to injure a person in his business. To be actionable per se, they must be uttered of him in his business relation. James v. Haymes, 160 Va. 253, 168 S.E. 333; Herman v. Post, 98 Conn. 792, 120 A. 606; Canton Surgical, etc., Chair Co. v. McLain, 82 Wis. 93, 51 N.W. 1098; 53 C.J.S., Libel and Slander, Sec. 43; 33 Am. Jur., Libel and Slander, Sec. 64. See also Annotations: 52 A.L.R. 1199 and 86 A.L.R. 442. Defamation of this class ordinarily includes charges made by one trader or merchant tending to degrade a rival by charging him with dishonorable conduct in business. Broadway v. Cope, supra; 33 Am. Jur., Libel and Slander, Sections 68 and 70.

It would seem that the words alleged to have been spoken by the defendant Lampke necessarily imputed to the plaintiff, his business rival, the character of a disreputable business man who had the reputation of engaging in “shady deals.” Webster, New International Dictionary, 1951 Edition, defines “shady” as used in this sense as “equivocal as regards merit or morality; unreliable; disreputable.” We conclude that the words complained of when interpreted in their natural meaning charge the plaintiff with a dishonorable course of business conduct, and are actionable per se.

The cases cited and relied on by the defendants are distinguishable.

The question whether the complaint alleges special damage is not presented by this appeal. See Annotation: 81 A.L.R. 848.

The demurrer interposed below should have been overruled. It is so ordered.

Reversed.

WiNBORNE, J., took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.