Compensatory and Punitive Damages Under Title VII

The federal Civil Rights Act of 1991 expanded the right of plaintiffs to compensatory and punitive damages. It allows those who claim intentional discrimination or harassment based on sex, race, religion, national origin or color under Title VII, or disability under the ADA or Rehabilitation Act, to obtain compensatory and punitive damages. The damages are measured by the size of the employer’s workforce, up to a maximum of $300,000.

The following table shows compensatory and punitive damages:¹

Compensatory or punitive damages are allowed under the Civil Rights Act only when you engage in intentional “disparate treatment” discrimination. Where “disparate impact”² For more