On April 28, 2008, plaintiff Lisa Panagos, 41, an actress, was driving toward the intersection of La Cienega Boulevard and Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles when she made a sudden stop. As a result, a vehicle driven by Rebecca Steiner struck the rear of her car. Panagos claimed she injured her knee, ribs and back in the accident. Panagos sued Steiner, alleging that the defendant was negligent in the operation of her vehicle. Steiner admitted liability for the accident., After the accident, Panagos drove to the emergency room at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, located on Beverly Boulevard. At the hospital, doctors examined her, provided minor treatment and discharged her the same day. Panagos claimed that she sustained fractures to her ribs. She also claimed that she injured her knee and sustained two herniated cervical discs at C2-3 and C3-4. Panagos claimed that she underwent minor treatment for her . Panagos claimed that she suffers from myofacial pain syndrome, a chronic form of muscle pain, as well as depression, as a result of her . She alleged that her condition prevented her from working as an actress for two years and prevented her from being able to maintain her entertainment career in California. She alleged that as a result, she was forced her to relocate to Maryland, so that she could be near family. Defense counsel disputed Panagos’ medical claims, contending that there was no evidence that she was treated for alleged knee or rib . Counsel also contended that Panagos had degenerative disc disease and pre-existing . In addition, defense counsel noted that Panagos continued her entertainment career in Maryland.