Batavia Lodge No. 196, Loyal Order of Moose, Respondents v. New York State Division of Human Rights…

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals reversed the Appellate Division's modification of the Human Rights Commissioner’s award and reinstated a $250 compensatory damages award for black complainants who were denied service and verbally abused. The Court held that the statute authorizes compensatory damages for mental anguish without proof of out‑of‑pocket expenses and that the award was not punitive or unreasonably large.