Getting sued for a review. Break in freedom of speech?

Question

So a few weeks ago, a story broke about a lady who is being sued 1 million dollars for a bad review she left for her OBGYN. 
The article doesn’t state exactly what her review said, but it does talk about how she was upset about the billing, and that she complained to the office. It’s also clear that she left multiple reviews because she said she took “all the reviews down.” 
Since this, there have been a few other stories that have surfaced of people claiming to be sued over leaving negative reviews. What are your thoughts? Is violating freedom of speech? Should websites monitor reviews better?
Here’s the link to the original story: 
https://www.google.com/amp/newyork.cbslocal.com/2018/05/29/million-dollar-online-review-lawsuit/amp/

Accepted Answer

Just because you have freedom to say whatever you want. Doesn’t mean there’s no consequences

Answer

Her review could have been slanderous. Thus allowing her to be sued.

Answer

It really comes down to whether the court finds it to be slanderous or not. That’s a well established provision in first amendment precedence.

Answer

Freedom of speech isn't freedom from consequences.

Answer

No. Because defamation laws aren’t laws making speech illegal. Defamation laws simply grant the right for a party to seek damages from another party whose disregard for the truth negatively impacted their reputation and thus their ability to earn income.

Answer

If the review(s) contained libel, she should be sued. If they were factual and did not contain libel, the business has no grounds to sue.

Answer

I imagine that she said something slanderous or liable. You can’t be sued for leaving your opinion, you can if you lied.

Answer

I actually didn’t even know it was possible to leave reviews for your Doctors. 
Surely she should have just made a formal complaint if her experience was that terrible.

Answer

She probably said something she shouldn’t have making her reviews potentially illegal otherwise she wouldn’t be getting sued.

Answer

The first amendment protects this type of speech against buisinesses “ they made me feel terrible about myself when I visited after having a conversation with them. I felt terrible and other businesses have made me feel better” the first amendment DOESNT protect this type of speech “ they called me fat and they are the worst people ever” one is slander and defamation while the other is basing your review on how you felt..... I read into it after I was wrongfully fired but live in a at will state so there’s nothing I can do.

Getting sued for a review. Break in freedom of speech?

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