Damages need not be proved in a defamation suit if the defamatory statement claims that "a person has a loathsome disease" or "a doctor is unfit to practice medicine." These types of statements are considered defamation per se, which means that they are so inherently harmful that the plaintiff need not prove that they suffered any actual harm or damages as a result of the statement. Defamation per se also includes statements that accuse someone of committing a crime, engaging in immoral or illegal behavior, or having a lack of integrity in their profession or business.