Rowe v. Metz, D.D.S.

We granted certiorari to review the decision of the court of appeals reversing the trial court’s award of damages in this slander per se case. The court of appeals, relying upon Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc., 418 U.S. 323, 94 S.Ct. 2997, 41 L.Ed.2d 789 (1974), held that presumed damages were impermissible under the facts of this case. Rowe v. Metz, 39 Colo. App. 20, 564 P.2d 425 (1977). We now reverse the court of appeals and reinstate the judgment of the trial court.

Plaintiff sued defendant for slander, alleging a reckless disregard of his rights. The suit involves neither a public official or…