On Sept. 10, 2012, plaintiff Joseph Ferrari, 21, a paralegal, was stopped in traffic on Highway 101 in San Mateo when his vehicle was rear-ended by a non-party vehicle that was previously rear-ended by a vehicle operated by Melissa Albritton. Ferrari claimed lower back for the accident. Ferrari sued Albritton, alleging that Albritton was negligent in the operation of her vehicle. Albritton claimed her vehicle was coming off the on-ramp to Highway 101 and could not stop in time before rear-ending the non-party vehicle., Ferrari was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was treated and released. One or two weeks later, he followed up with an MRI, which revealed a bulging disc in the lower lumbar region. For treatment, Ferrari had epidural/steroid injections to his lower back, but he claimed they provided little relief. Consequently, he had trigger point injections. Ferrari claimed that he used to play sports and go to the gym, in addition to his active lifestyle, but that after the collision, he was not as active as he used to be. He also claimed he cannot stand or sit for a long time, as his leg seizes up. Specifically, he claimed that one time he was walking in a mall when his leg seized up and he nearly collapsed. Ferrari alleged that although his physicians have not recommended surgery at this time, he could possibly require it in the future.