On Jan. 19, 2013, plaintiff Jennifer Kertzman, an unemployed 32 year old, was a passenger in a vehicle operated by Steven Cavanaugh and traveling on westbound Olympic Boulevard in Los Angeles. While making a left turn at the intersection with Centinela Avenue, Cavanaugh collided with a bus traveling east on Olympic Avenue. Kertzman claimed she injured her neck in the accident. Kertzman sued Cavanaugh, alleging the defendant was negligent in the operation of his vehicle. Specifically, Kertzman claimed Cavanaugh failed to yield to oncoming traffic at the subject intersection and made an unsafe left turn, resulting in their vehicle being broadsided by the bus. Cavanaugh did not dispute liability for the accident., Kertzman was taken by ambulance to an emergency room, where she was diagnosed with a 3- to 4-millimeter cervical disc bulge at the C6-7 level. Kertzman initially treated with one month of chiropractic care and three epidural injections, but she ultimately underwent a cervical fusion on Feb. 18, 2014. Kertzman claimed that following the surgery, she made a good recovery with some minor residual complaints. Thus, she sought recovery of $101,490 in past medical costs. She also sought recovery of damages for her pain and suffering. Defense counsel disputed the severity of Kertzman’s alleged neck injury as well as the corresponding medical bills.