Jerry believes his co-worker,Ben,is using illegal drugs.Since both he and Ben are nurses,Jerry is concerned Ben's drug usage could result in injury to a patient.He tells his supervisor,Cyndi.Cyndi talks with Jerry about the alleged drug usage and Ben produces a bottle of prescription medicine he is required to take for high blood pressure.The medication does not affect his ability to do his work.When Ben learns it was Jerry who reported him,Ben claims that Jerry committed an act of defamation when Jerry told Cyndi he used illegal drugs.Is Ben right?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Jerry is protected by the qualified privilege defense, which is a legal protection for individuals who make statements in good faith and with a reasonable belief that they are true, even if they turn out to be false. Jerry had a legitimate concern for patient safety and reported his suspicions to his supervisor, who investigated the matter and found that Ben was not using illegal drugs. Therefore, Jerry did not commit an act of defamation.

Jerry Believes His Co-Worker,Ben,is Using Illegal Drugs