slander: previous employer made false statements to a perspective employer

my previous employer made false statements to a perspective employer. i was told that a previous employer can only say if they would re-hire or not but she went as far as to make false statements about me cause me and her granddaughter got into an argument. i havent been able to obtain employment because of the statements made. what do i have to do in order to sue this person? please respond to samanthabettis@yahoo.com

thanks
sam

They can say whatever they want but if someone publicly says or writes anything factually untrue and it damages you, you indeed can sue for slander, libel, defamation, interference with business relations etc. -- or at least threaten to do so and give a warning.

If you threaten suit they may cease all such false comments. If not you indeed may be entitled to collect damages.