You're using euphemistic language for rhetorical purposes. Suppose someone got bullied to the point of suicide. Is that not a big deal because it was just "word

You're using euphemistic language for rhetorical purposes. Suppose someone got bullied to the point of suicide. Is that not a big deal because it was just "words"? It's a rhetorical sleight of hand to euphemistically label it "words". Also, your choice of language puts the responsibility on the victim ("got offended") as if it's their fault that offence was taken at being discriminated against in the workplace. Large settlements are good because otherwise there is no incentive for companies to prevent that behavior. The main point of laws and their enforcement is to deter that behavior in the first place, and small settlements do not achieve deterrence.