Opinions or Insults Cannot Support a Defamation Claim

In the case of Durando v. The Trustees of the U. of Penn., No. 21-756 (E.D. Pa. June 17, 2022 Beetlestone, J.), the court granted a Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment and dismissed a Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint in a defamation action.

The court ruled that the Plaintiff’s defamation claim failed where the alleged statements at issue constituted non-actionable opinion or hyperbolic insults. The court additionally noted that, based upon the record before the court, the Plaintiff could not prove a reputational injury or a financial loss.

Anyone wishing to review a copy of this decision may click this LINK.  The Court's companion Order can be viewed HERE.


Source: “Digest of Recent Opinions.” Pennsylvania Law Weekly (July 14, 2022).