On Feb. 24, 2015, plaintiff Maria Salazar (also known as Maria Guadalupe Salazar Soto), a gas station cashier in her 40s, was driving in stop-and-go traffic in West Los Angeles when her vehicle was rear-ended by a vehicle operated by Andrew Galker. Salazar claimed to her neck and back. Salazar sued Galker, alleging that Galker was negligent in the operation of his vehicle. Galker admitted liability., Salazar claimed she sustained a herniated cervical disc at the C5-6 level and lumbar instability at the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels. She treated with a chiropractor after the incident. She then saw four orthopedists, two neurologists, a spinal surgeon, an internist and a pain management specialist. Salazar ultimately underwent a cervical disc replacement at C5-6, lumbar fusions at L4-5 and at L5-S1, and a final surgery to remove pedicle screws. Salazar claimed that she might eventually require additional fusion surgeries to her lumbar spine due to adjacent segment disease. Salazar sought recovery of $1.1 million for her past and future medical costs, and unspecified amounts for her past and future pain and suffering. Her counsel black-boarded $7.1 million to $7.3 million for Salazar’s total damages. Defense counsel argued that there were inconsistencies in Salazar’s testimony. Counsel also argued that Salazar’s medical liens were overinflated, and were not reasonable or necessary.