September 14, 1996, and predicted that she would have future problems with her neck and back.
Dr. Robert Franklin, who practices in the fields of physical medicine and rehabilitation, examined and treated Mrs. Leal on several occasions starting on April 23, 1997. Mrs. Leal reported injuring her neck, back and shoulder in 1996. Dr. Franklin testified that his diagnosis at that time was myofascial pain syndrome affecting the paracervical and trapezius muscalature (a soft tissue injury) and possible pathology of the cervical spine. He referred her to physical therapy and ordered hot packs, ultra sound, ice massage, fluor methane spray, neck exercise and body mechanics massage three times a week for five weeks, or approximately fifteen visits.
Ms. Margaret Rozas, a physical therapist, testified that she treated Mrs. Leal incould retreat, as well as physical therapy. Dr. Franklin concluded that Mrs. Leal's injuries were caused by the September 14, 1996 accident.
Dr. Jeffrey Laborde, a diagnostic radiologist, testified that he performed a cervical spine MRI on Mrs. Leal on June 4, 1998. He found a posterior displacement to the left lateral edge of the spinal cord at the C5-6 level caused by disc herniations at the C5-6 and C6-7 levels (slight left lateral extensions of the space between two spinal discs). His final impression was that Mrs. Leal suffered a small central subligamentous disc bulge at the C4-5 level; central focal disc herniation with cord displacement but no cord compression at the C5-6 level; and central subligamentous disc herniation with cord displacement at the C6-7 level. Dr. Laborde