Race discrimination cases may be brought under New York State and New York City law and under federal law. In many cases victims of such discriminatory conduct can recover damages for such violation, including as back pay/front pay and emotional distress damages. Some statutes provide for what is called punitive damages. There are some significant differences that affect a victim’s compensation based upon violations of New York State, New York City or federal law. The following explains some of these differences.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are damages that are designed to compensate a victim for the wrong they suffered and to make the victim “whole.” In the context of a workplace race discriminate lawsuit, compensatory damages might include:
- In the case of a failure to promote, the loss of income that a victim would have otherwise received had the victim appropriately been promoted
- Compensation for humiliation, mental anguish, and other emotional harm suffered by a victim in the case of a hostile workplace
It is important to consult with a firm such as our to review the individual damages you may have suffered in your case.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may also be awarded in racial discrimination cases. Unlike compensatory damages, which are designed to make a person “whole” for the damages that have been suffered, punitive damages are designed entirely to punish the wrongdoer, such as a company that engaged in deliberate racial discrimination.
Punitive damages may be awarded in cases under federal and New York City law, and the standards for such damages are different under each statute.
Attorney’s Fees
In many types of employment discrimination cases (although not in all) a plaintiff in a discrimination case may be entitled to an award of attorney’s fees under some circumstances. This can be an important factor in asserting claims in these cases and out attorneys can fully discuss the impact that obtaining such attorneys fees can have in your individual case.
To Learn More About the Types of Damages to Which You May Be Entitled, Please Call Our Firm
The facts and circumstances of each case will be unique. So too will be the particular types of damages to which a discrimination victim may be entitled.
Our firm offers a free consultation so that we may learn about your case and so that we can explain the options that may be available to you for seeking compensation. Please feel free to call our firm at your convenience to get started.