Comm'n on Human Rights & Opportunities v. Cantillon

Factual and Procedural Background

The case involves a housing discrimination claim where the claimant was subjected to racially motivated verbal and physical harassment by a neighbor, the named defendant. The human rights referee awarded the claimant $15,000 in "garden variety" damages for emotional distress. The Appellate Court reviewed the trial court's determination regarding the application of proper legal principles in awarding these damages. The plaintiff petitioned for certification to appeal from the Appellate Court's decision.

Legal Issues Presented

1. Did the Appellate Court correctly conclude that the trial court properly determined that the human rights referee applied the proper legal principles in awarding "garden variety" emotional distress damages of $15,000 against the named defendant?

Arguments of the Parties

The opinion does not contain a detailed account of the parties' legal arguments.

Table of Precedents Cited

No precedents were cited in the provided opinion.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The court granted certification limited to the issue of whether the Appellate Court correctly upheld the trial court’s determination that the human rights referee applied the proper legal principles in awarding emotional distress damages. The opinion does not elaborate further on the court's detailed analysis or reasoning.

Holding and Implications

The petition for certification to appeal was granted, limited to the specified issue regarding the award of emotional distress damages.

This decision allows the plaintiff to appeal the narrow question of the propriety of the legal principles applied in awarding damages for emotional distress. No new precedent was established by this order, and the direct effect is procedural, permitting further appellate review.