What does Zimmerman asking for "damages in excess of the jurisdictional limit" mean?
Also, does he and his attorney have to prove malice?
Leni
Sounds like it might have to be kicked to a special court convened for the purpose of the case, but I dunno.
I think “in excess of the jurisdictional limit” means that Zimmerman’s claim exceeds the minimum amount in controversy required for the court to have jurisdiction. For example, in federal lawsuits in which jurisdiction is based on diversity of citizenship of the parties, the amount in controversy must exceed $75,000, exclusive of interest. If the plaintiff in such a case demands less than that amount, the case goes to a state court.
I would argue that Zimmerman was not a public figure, and malice need not be proved. Remember the 1996 Olympic security guard. He made out OK in his lawsuits.
But, I have not read Zimmerman’s Complaint.
Filing this litigation against NBC is a good call by Zimmerman’s defense team.
Leni, The defendant, NBC, must have known before they broadcasted the offending piece that the edited version was materially misleading in a way that could cause irreparable harm to the plaintiffs reputation in a measurable way..
Meaning monetarily..
In seeking damages, you have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the loss of reputation will reduce your potential for earning to a specific amount.. That amount can be accelerated by placing a punitive burden on the losing party..
No, he does not have to prove malice. That standard applies to public figures. Zimmerman was not a public figure at the time.