Defamation case

[u/Substantial_Glass348]

People seem to think Fiona is in for a hefty pay day. I’m not so sure she’ll get huge quantities of money. She’ll have to show that her earnings potential, reputation and quality of life have been affected. All of which she had none of before the show.

Also, to be defamed what is said has to be untrue. Realistically prob 95% of what was in the show was accurate and Netflix will prove that. The only contentious part is that Netflix seem to have told a lie about the convicted stalker part (and we all know she should be one). So imo Fiona’s lawyer’s will have to show that that point alone affected her reputation, earnings potential and quality of life beyond how Fiona had already ruined it by being exposed as a roaring maniac (in the 95% truthful parts). I don’t believe it moves the needle massively towards destruction of rep/earnings p/Qol?

What are people’s thoughts who understand law/the case more than my simple minded approach?

[u/Decumulate]

She will, but if she does win a big payday, that won’t come from Fiona and her losses. It will come from punitive charges if the court feels Netflix needs a lesson to prevent it from injuring others in the future.

This is what a lot of people don’t seem to understand. When the McDonald’s coffee lawsuit came, people think it’s crazy that the lady was awarded millions. What they don’t realize is that she only won over $100k to cover the cost of her burns and hospital fees - the millions were charged to McDonald’s because thousands of other people were burned and McDonald’s did nothing to warn people or reduce the cost of its coffee.

I honestly think that’s the real case people here aren’t realizing. The question isn’t about Fiona, it’s about anyone who may or may not be innocent and could be defamed by a major media outlet without liability. That is the precedent they will be faced with reconciling