Defamation damages for destruction of professional reputation may properly be very substantial, and the law places a high value on the reputation of those whose work depends on honesty, integrity and judgment. Professional disadvantages that do not cause actual pecuniary loss are recoverable as part of general damages. An appellate court will not find a jury's verdict unreasonable for failing to account for matters (such as income tax deductions) on which the jury received no direction and no direction was sought by the defendant. The relationship between defamation and personal injury damages scales, while required to be maintained, does not impose a strait-jacket and permits recognition of the importance of vindication.
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