Are there any legal remedies available to victims of Fair Housing Law violations?

Yes, there are legal remedies available to victims of Fair Housing Law violations in Maryland. These remedies include the right to sue a violator in civil court for a variety of amounts, such as damages for expenses and pain and suffering or for the cost of a new place to live; the right to file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and the right to seek injunctive relief from a court ordering a violator to comply with the law. In civil court, a victim of discrimination can sue for actual damages, court costs, attorneys’ fees, and potentially punitive damages. Actual damages are determined by the court and may include out-of-pocket costs such as moving expenses, medical bills or lost wages. Court costs could include filing fees, court reporters’ fees, witness fees, and the costs of expert testimony. Attorneys’ fees are determined by the court and can be costly for the defendant. Punitive damages are meant to punish the violator and may also be determined by the court. Victims of discrimination can also file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Commission and HUD investigate complaints and may impose sanctions on the violators and award damages to victims. Finally, victims may seek injunctive relief from a court to force a violator to comply with the law. This means that the court can order the violator to take specific actions, such as renting or selling a dwelling to the victim or taking steps to make the dwelling accessible.

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