In a housing discrimination case, which type of damages refers to amounts for proven losses caused by the defendant's conduct?

• A. Punitive damages
• B. Nominal damages
• C. Damages for proven losses caused by the defendant's conduct
• D. Liquidated damages

Answer: (C)

The main concept here is compensatory damages, which are the amounts designed to reimburse the plaintiff for actual losses caused by the defendant’s discriminatory conduct. In a housing discrimination case, this means money awarded to cover proven, tangible losses attributable to the discrimination—things you can demonstrate with evidence and that reflect what the plaintiff suffered financially or economically as a result of the conduct. This type of damages is about making the plaintiff whole for the harm actually suffered, not about punishment or symbolic recognition.

Punitive damages aim to punish and deter, beyond the actual losses proven. Nominal damages are small amounts awarded when a legal wrong occurred but no substantial actual loss is proven. Liquidated damages are predetermined sums set by contract for specific breaches, not tied to proven losses from discrimination.