Opinion ID: 3134239
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Defamation Per Quod

Text: We next consider whether the trial court properly dismissed counts III and IV of the plaintiff's complaint, which attempt to state a cause of action for defamation per quod. The allegations in counts III and IV of the complaint are identical to those found in counts I and II, except that the plaintiff has alleged that she sustained pecuniary loss (special damages) as a result of the defendant's publication of the allegedly defamatory statements. The defendants argue that the trial court properly dismissed these per quod counts because they failed to allege any extrinsic facts to show that the statements are defamatory in character. We disagree. A cause of action for defamation per quod may be brought in two circumstances. First, a per quod claim is appropriate where the defamatory character of the statement is not apparent on its face, and resort to extrinsic circumstances is necessary to demonstrate its injurious meaning. To pursue a per quod action in such circumstances, a plaintiff must plead and prove extrinsic facts to explain the defamatory meaning of the statement. Kolegas v. Heftel Broadcasting Corp., 154 Ill. 2d 1 (1992); Mittleman v. Witous, 135