On Sept. 9, 2013, plaintiff Melissa Liang, 41, a nutritionist, was driving west on Altadena Drive, in Altadena, with her daughter, plaintiff Abigail Liang, 7, in the back passenger seat. As they entered an intersection, a vehicle traveling east on Altadena Drive struck the Liang vehicle head-on. The force of the impact caused the Liang vehicle to flip over and allegedly cause spinal to the vehicle’s occupants. Melissa Liang, individually and on behalf of her daughter, Abigal, sued the operator of the other vehicle, Harry Torrosian. The Liangs alleged that Torrosian was negligent in the operation of his vehicle. Torrosian conceded liability, and the matter proceeded to a trial to determine damages., Melissa Liang and her daughter were taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where they were treated and released later that day. Melissa Liang was diagnosed with three mild compression fractures at T1, T2, T3 and T4, as well as an aggravation of a pre-existing herniated disc at C5-6. She subsequently required ongoing physical therapy up until the time of trial and underwent several neurosurgical consultations. Liang claimed she suffered nerve compression of the spine, causing ongoing sensory and motor loss related to radiculopathy. She alleged that as a result, she may eventually require a vertebrectomy. The plaintiffs’ biomechanical and accident reconstruction experts testified as to the force applied to the Liang vehicle by Torrosian and opined that Liang’s compression fractures were a result of her head hitting the roof of her vehicle. The plaintiffs’ treating neurosurgery expert testified that Liang had a degenerative neck condition that was exacerbated by the accident. He also opined that Liang’s radiculopathy and nerve compression were due to the accident. The expert further opined that if Liang’s symptoms persist, she may require a C5 vertebrectomy. Abigail was diagnosed with soft-tissue of the cervical and lumbar spine. She was subsequently treated with three months of physical therapy. Abigail’s resolved by the time of trial. Thus, Liang sought recovery for her future medical costs, and recovery of damages for her past and future pain and suffering. She also sought recovery of damages for Abigail’s past pain and suffering. Defense counsel argued that Liang only suffered minor soft-tissue , which did not require further treatment or surgery.