On April 18, 2008, plaintiff Louie Padilla Jr., 58, a salesman, went to the 99 Cents Only Store in Alhambra. While he was waiting at a cash register to pay for his items, the sliding door shelf at the register came crashing down. As a result, Padilla jumped backward and fell, allegedly his left ankle and foot. Padilla sued 99 Cents Only Stores. He alleged the defendant failed to properly repair and/or maintain the defective sliding door shelf and that as a result, it caused him to fall. Specifically, Padilla claimed that the sliding door was not properly attached to its track, causing it to come crashing down, which jolted him and caused him to jump backward. 99 Cents Only Stores claimed that Padilla had no business being at the subject register, as it was closed at the time., Padilla treated at a health clinic within a week of the accident. He was diagnosed with a crush injury to his left foot and sprain of his left ankle. Padilla subsequently had his foot placed in a walking boot and he followed up with two to three months of physical therapy. Padilla claimed he still experiences pain and discomfort in his left ankle and foot. He alleged that as a result, he is restricted from several activities, including being an umpire for a local baseball league. He also alleged that he may eventually undergo fusion surgery on his ankle to improve his condition. Thus, Padilla claimed $7,425 in past medical costs, and sought recovery of additional damages for his future medical costs related to the fusion surgery and for his past and future pain and suffering. Defense counsel contended that Padilla’s alleged were pre-existing and not caused or worsened by the subject incident.