In order to prove a defamation claim, you must prove that a certain person made statements which would be slanderous or that somebody wrote certain statements about you. Many times, it's very easy to prove: you must prove that those statements are false and that they were intended to harm you. You also must prove that they were made without justification. - Moreover, you must prove that you sustained damages. These damages could take the form of humiliation, hurt feelings, or a loss of business. If the defamatory statements were made with the intent to make you lose business, that can be a factor in proving damages in a defamation lawsuit.