Opinion ID: 1590463
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did the district court err by failing to instruct on libel per quod?

Text: Bantz claims the district court should have instructed the jury on libel per quod. This assignment of error is without merit. Kiesau never requested the district court submit her case to the jury on a libel per quod theory. If she had, she would be required to prove actual damage to her reputation. A libel per se action presumes damage to reputation. Schlegel, 585 N.W.2d at 222. If the jury found the altered photograph was not libelous per se, she would not have prevailed on her claims at trial. Bantz is not entitled to dictate what claims the plaintiff wants submitted to the jury for consideration. The case as submitted fairly represented the theory of libel as pled by Kiesau applicable to the facts contained in the record.