On Jan. 8, 2013, plaintiff Benjamin Dabalos, 51, a plant maintenance specialist, presented to Dr. Donald Ringer, a chiropractor, for treatment. He subsequently underwent one month of treatment, with his last visit occurring on Feb. 7, 2013. However, Dabalos claimed that he sustained a spinal cord injury as a result of the treatment. Dabalos sued Ringer and his Ringer’s practice, Ringer Chiropractic. Dabalos alleged that the defendants’ negligent treatment constituted medical malpractice. Defense counsel contended that Ringer was not negligent and that any injury was likely sequelae of Dabalos’ motor vehicle accident, which occurred on Oct. 31, 2012., Dabalos claimed he sustained an epidural hematoma and consequent spinal cord injury as a result of the chiropractic adjustment performed by Ringer. Dabalos was employed as a plant maintenance specialist at VMWare, a Silicon Valley tech company, earning in the range of $150,000 per year. However, he claimed that after the injury, he was unable to return to work. Thus, Dabalos claimed that his life care plan and loss of earnings amounted to over $3.5 million in damages. Dabalos’ wife, Jennifer, a 46-year-old project director and consultant for HP Global Sales Organization, sought recovery for her loss of consortium. In closing arguments, plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to award Mr. and Mrs. Dabalos over $13 million in damages. Defense counsel argued that Mr. Dabalos’ alleged spinal cord injury was caused by his prior motor vehicle accident and was caused or exacerbated by his treatment with Ringer.