Morgan and Morgan's Practice Areas
Morgan and Morgan is a personal injury firm with offices across Florida and several other states. The firm focuses on cases where someone has been injured or suffered financial loss due to someone else's negligence or wrongdoing — car accidents, slip-and-fall injuries, medical malpractice, and product liability are their core work. They do not maintain a defamation practice, and the firm's website and intake process do not list defamation among the areas they handle.
The distinction matters because defamation is a different kind of lawsuit from the personal injury cases Morgan and Morgan typically takes. A defamation claim requires proving that someone made a false statement about you, that the statement was published or spoken to others, and that it caused you real harm — often to your reputation or business. It is a specialized area of law that overlaps with First Amendment issues, media law, and sometimes employment law, and it requires a different skill set than injury litigation.
If you have been defamed and are looking for representation, contacting Morgan and Morgan directly is the fastest way to confirm their current stance. Firm policies and practice areas can shift, and a brief call to their intake line will tell you whether they have added defamation work or can refer you to someone who handles it.
Key Takeaways
- Morgan and Morgan specializes in personal injury cases — car accidents, medical malpractice, slip-and-fall, and product liability — not defamation claims.
- Defamation law requires proving a false statement caused harm to your reputation, which is a different legal path than injury-based claims.
- If you believe you have been defamed, you will need to find a lawyer who lists defamation or media law as a practice area.
- Calling Morgan and Morgan's intake line directly is the clearest way to confirm they do not handle defamation and to ask for a referral if they can provide one.
Why Defamation Is Not a Typical Personal Injury Practice
Personal injury firms like Morgan and Morgan build their practices around cases where someone's body or property was harmed by negligence. The damages are usually medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property repair. The defendant is often an individual, a business, or an insurance company, and liability turns on whether the defendant owed a duty of care and breached it.
Defamation cases operate differently. The harm is to your reputation or business standing, not your body. The defendant is often a media outlet, a competitor, a former employee, or someone on social media. The legal questions involve what counts as a false statement, whether the defendant knew it was false, what the defendant's legal obligations were (which vary depending on whether you are a public figure), and whether you can prove the statement caused measurable harm. These cases often involve First Amendment issues that personal injury lawyers do not regularly encounter.
A firm that does not practice defamation law may not have the experience to evaluate whether your case is strong, what damages you can actually recover, or how to navigate the procedural and constitutional issues that come up. That is why finding a lawyer who specializes in defamation or media law is important if that is your claim.
How to Find a Defamation Lawyer
Start by searching for lawyers in your state who list defamation, libel, slander, or media law as a practice area. Your state bar association's website usually has a lawyer referral service where you can filter by practice area. Some defamation lawyers also handle employment law, intellectual property, or business disputes, so those practice areas can be a signal that they have relevant experience.
When you call, ask directly whether they have handled defamation cases before, how many, and what the outcomes were. Ask whether they think your situation is a defamation claim or something else — sometimes what feels like defamation is actually tortious interference, unfair competition, or a breach of contract. A good defamation lawyer will tell you if your case does not fit the legal definition, because pursuing a weak defamation claim can be expensive and time-consuming.
Be prepared to describe what was said, who said it, where it was published, and what harm you suffered. Bring any written evidence — screenshots, emails, social media posts, or articles. Many defamation lawyers offer a free initial consultation, so you can get a sense of whether they understand your situation before you commit to representation.
What Damages You Might Recover in a Defamation Case
Defamation damages are not the same as personal injury damages. You cannot recover for pain and suffering in the way you would for a broken bone. Instead, you can recover for harm to your reputation, lost business or income that resulted from the false statement, and in some cases, emotional distress. Some states allow punitive damages if the defendant acted with malice — meaning they knew the statement was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
The amount you can recover depends heavily on what you can prove. If you are a private figure (not a public person or public official), you generally have an easier time proving defamation. If you are a public figure, the law requires you to prove the defendant knew the statement was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth — a higher bar. The more specific the false statement and the more direct the link between the statement and your financial loss, the stronger your damages claim.
Many defamation cases settle before trial, often for less than the plaintiff hoped. Some settle for a retraction and apology rather than money. A defamation lawyer can tell you what similar cases have resolved for and what your realistic recovery range might be, given the facts of your situation.
When You Might Have Other Legal Options
Before you pursue a defamation claim, consider whether another legal route might work better. If a former employer made false statements about you to other employers, that might be tortious interference with employment or intentional infliction of emotional distress. If a competitor made false claims about your product or business, that might be unfair competition or false advertising. If someone posted false reviews about your business online, that might be actionable under consumer protection laws or state-specific statutes.
Some of these claims are easier to prove than defamation, carry different damages, or have different procedural rules. A lawyer who handles business disputes or employment law may be better positioned to help you than a defamation specialist, depending on the facts. This is another reason to have a consultation with someone who understands the landscape — they can tell you which legal theory fits your situation best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue someone for defamation on social media?
Yes, but the person who posted the false statement must have known it was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth. Social media posts are published statements, so they can be defamatory. The challenge is proving the poster's state of mind and proving that the false statement caused you measurable harm. Screenshots are important evidence because posts can be deleted.
Do I need a lawyer to file a defamation case?
You can file a defamation lawsuit without a lawyer, but defamation law is complex and involves First Amendment issues that are straightforward to get wrong. A lawyer can tell you whether your case meets the legal definition, what your realistic recovery is, and whether the cost of litigation makes sense. Many defamation cases are not worth pursuing once you understand the legal hurdles and the likely outcome.
What if the person who defamed me is judgment-proof?
If the defendant has no money or assets, winning a judgment does not may provide you will collect anything. This is a real problem in defamation cases, especially when the defendant is an individual rather than a company or media outlet. A defamation lawyer can advise you on whether pursuing the case makes financial sense before you spend money on litigation.
How long do I have to file a defamation lawsuit?
The time limit varies by state, but most states have a statute of limitations between one and three years from the date the false statement was published. Some states start the clock when you first discover the statement; others start it when the statement was made. Check your state's specific rules, because missing the important date means you lose the right to sue entirely.
Can I get a defamation case dismissed before trial?
Yes. Defendants often file motions to dismiss defamation cases early, arguing that the statement is opinion rather than fact, that it is substantially true, or that the plaintiff cannot prove the required elements. These motions can succeed, which is why having a lawyer who understands defamation law from the start is valuable — they can anticipate these arguments and build your case accordingly.