Final answer:
The statement that an injured party must have suffered actual damages due to a breach of contract is true. Damages are necessary to establish a valid claim for compensation in a breach of contract and in defamation cases involving public officials.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'The injured party must actually have suffered damages as a result of the breach of contract' is true. In the context of contract law, for a party to have a valid claim for a breach of contract, they must demonstrate that they suffered actual damages. These damages serve as a measure of compensation for the harm incurred due to the other party's failure to fulfill their contractual obligations. To be awarded any form of damages, the injured party must show a direct link between the breach and the harm suffered. Without actual damages, there is no basis for a claim in a breach of contract case. Furthermore, for defamation cases involving public officials, as referenced in the information provided, the injured official must prove 'actual malice' to recover damages for a defamatory falsehood related to their official conduct. This means that the official must show that the false statement was made with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth.