In California, an injured person has an opportunity to seek three different types of compensation: (1) economic damages; (2) non-economic damages; and (3) punitive damages. Economic damages include compensation for past and future medical bills as well as lost wages. Non-economic damages include compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium. Punitive damages are solely intended to punish the at-fault party if they acted with malice, oppression, or fraud.