What are "compensatory damages" in discrimination cases?

Compensatory damages in discrimination cases are designed to provide financial compensation for the actual losses suffered by the victim due to the discriminatory actions. This type of damage can include a broad range of economic and non-economic losses, such as lost wages from the time of the discriminatory conduct through the present, as well as emotional distress experienced as a result of the discrimination.

In these cases, the intent is to restore the victim to the position they would have been in had the discrimination not occurred. This encompasses not only the financial impact of lost wages but also the psychological toll the experience may have taken, recognizing that emotional pain and suffering are valid components of the damages incurred. Other options do not encompass the full scope of what compensatory damages are intended to cover, thereby highlighting the importance of understanding the broader implications of discrimination beyond just financial losses.