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Questions Answered by William John Light
2 Answers | Asked in Military Law, Personal Injury and Public Benefits for California on
Q: Seeking recognition and compensation for family's health issues linked to my father's radiation exposure during Navy service.

I am seeking to connect my family's health issues to my father's radiation exposure during his Navy service (1942–1946), which possibly involved cleanup in Japan. My brother and I have faced cancer diagnoses, supported by medical findings of radiation exposure. Despite attempts to claim... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jun 6, 2025

The VA has strict requirements for proof of presence in Hiroshima or Nagasaki during August 6, 1945–July 1, 1946, which frequently causes denials of claims if records are incomplete or if the veteran served in nearby areas (e.g., on ships supporting the occupation).

You can 1. request...
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5 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Car Accidents, Insurance Defense and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Should I confess or deny involvement after leaving accident scene?

I left the scene of a 5-car accident over two months ago in California, where three people were injured. The car is registered and insured in my parents' name, who live out of state. My father, who is not familiar with California laws, informed the insurance agency that I was driving at the... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jun 3, 2025

1. Hire a criminal defense attorney. You have admitted to hit and run, which is potentially a felony. 2. Start cooperating with your insurance company. You and your father have a contractual obligation to do so. If you do not, your insurer can refuse to defend or indemnify you, leaving you... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Civil Litigation and Contracts for California on
Q: Is my friend liable for damages after my travel trailer crashed during transport in California?

I asked a friend to move my travel trailer because my truck was down. While driving too fast on back country roads, he lost the trailer off his truck, and it crashed, rendering the trailer unusable. There was no formal agreement between us, and my girlfriend witnessed the incident. The county... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jun 3, 2025

If you had comprehensive insurance on the trailer, it will be easier to go through your own insurer. You can bring a claim against your friend if he was negligent. His liability insurer should cover the loss, up to its liability limits. If neither of you had insurance, well, good luck collecting.

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Q: How can I protect myself and prove fake names without violating HIPAA in California?

I'm a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and I've been noticing that my facility has been allegedly committing insurance fraud for the past 10 months by accepting clients under fake names. I've also been asked to alter withdrawal scales and breathalyzer or drug screening results.... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jun 1, 2025

Unclear to whom you are reporting. 1. Work your way up the chain of command. 2. Contact the licensing agency for your facility. As a whistleblower, you should be protected from adverse employment actions, and if that is violated, you may have a lawsuit.

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2 Answers | Asked in Agricultural Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: What legal options are available for exposure to herbicide due to aerial spraying?

On May 16, my mother, Jeanie Pirtle, was operating a tractor with an open cab on fields owned by Rocky Donati when a pilot employed by Jones Flying Service conducted aerial spraying. Despite her efforts to move out of the way, the pilot sprayed over her multiple times, causing the chemical to go... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on May 23, 2025

She should go to the doctor and explain what happened. She should contact the County Agricultural Commissioner. She will need to provide: The address or location where the incident occurred or is occurring; The date and time of the incident; If you or anyone else experienced or is experiencing any... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Contracts, Insurance Defense and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Am I responsible for car accident damages if insurance lapsed without my knowledge?

I was driving a vehicle that was gifted to me, but it is in my ex’s name. I recently got into a fender bender and found out that the insurance coverage for the car was removed a year ago without my knowledge. The car was purchased for me in February 2023, and my ex had been paying for the... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on May 16, 2025

If it’s in your ex’s name, it might be his car. However, you were driving. You had an accident. It’s your responsibility. It’s also your ex’s responsibility as the apparent vehicle owner who let you drive the car with his permission.

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3 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Nursing Home Abuse and Public Benefits for California on
Q: Can I pursue legal action against the hospital for my mother's Methadone overdose and related negligence issues?

I'm considering legal actions against a hospital after my mother, who has been frequently admitted for kidney and liver failure and is undergoing Methadone treatment for opioid addiction recovery, overdosed on Methadone while hospitalized. The hospital documented the overdose as an... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on May 13, 2025

If the hospital erred in administering the proper dosage of methadone, that could support a malpractice claim. The value of that claim, if successful, depends on the harm sustained. The harm is not described, so no once can offer any suggestions on whether this is a claim worth pursuing. Your... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Civil Litigation, Contracts and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Can a California employee be personally sued for a guest's injury?

I am an employee at a waxing establishment in California. A guest experienced a skin tear during a procedure I performed while following company procedures, and she is now suing both the company and me. Although I am a paid employee, I have received a contract from the company's lawyer to sign... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on May 10, 2025

Yes it’s legal. Your employer has a duty to indemnify you for expenses you incur in the course and scope of employment. If you refuse the employer’s offer of a defense, it can argue that any expenses you incur were voluntary and it doesn’t have an obligation to indemnify you.

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Insurance Defense and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Unauthorized driver caused a hit-and-run with damages exceeding insurance limit. How to handle?

I let someone I didn’t know drive my vehicle, and he was involved in a hit-and-run incident that resulted in property damage of $5k and bodily injury of $15k. The other party's lawyer is contacting my insurance company, which is asking for more than my policy limit. I can't afford to... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Apr 30, 2025

"Unauthorized" can mean a couple of different things. 1. You let someone, who was excluded from your policy, drive your vehicle. 2. Someone took your car without permission.

Under Option 1, you are responsible for the harm caused, up to the limits of ownership liability in...
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2 Answers | Asked in Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: Legal malpractice claim for reliance on AI responses in CA?

Can my friend file a legal malpractice claim against an attorney who provided him with over 2,500 AI-generated responses regarding hospice fraud, resulting in the loss of his lawsuit? My friend relied solely on these AI-generated responses from this specific attorney to his anonymous posts on... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Apr 12, 2025

Unlikely. Responding to a question on Justia does not form an attorney client relationship. Responding to a large number of questions on Justia from the same poster on the same topic might, I suppose. You would then have to prove that the responses were wrong, and were below the standard of... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice, Public Benefits and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Can I take legal action for not being informed about a colon cancer diagnosis in 2021?

Last week, a doctor assigned by SSI informed me that I was diagnosed with colon cancer back in 2021, according to my medical records, but I was never informed about this diagnosis. I have documents verifying the diagnosis, which the SSI doctor recently explained to me. This was shocking, as I had... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Apr 2, 2025

If you have been injured as a result, you may have a claim. Injury will mean your condition progressed from treatable to not treatable, or that the nature of treatment has changed and will leave you in a substantially worse position than if treatment had been provided in 2021. Ordinarily, your... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: What are my next steps for an ER misdiagnosis of a knee fracture leading to surgery?

I injured my right knee and visited the emergency room twice, first on 2/23/25 and then on 2/25/25. Initially, I was told there was no fracture, and I was diagnosed with fluid in my knee. I was prescribed pain medication and crutches and advised to see an orthopedic specialist. Unable to bear any... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Apr 1, 2025

If multiple doctors missed it, I will estimate that it was hard to diagnose. Also, it is unclear what the impact of the misdiagnosis is. The impact appears to be caused by the fracture, rather than a misdiagnosis. Consult with a medical malpractice attorney for specific advise about your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Civil Litigation for California on
Q: Responsibilities after bicycle hit-and-run for 911 dispatcher and hospital?

A passerby called 911 after I had a hit-and-run accident while on my bicycle, which resulted in major injuries that required hospitalization in the ICU for 8 days. The 911 dispatcher sent EMT and fire department personnel but did not notify the police. I contacted the police 8 days later after... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Mar 24, 2025

You have no case against the dispatcher. The dispatcher also caused you no damage. If you, or anyone in your household, carries automobile insurance which includes uninsured motorist coverage, you can make a claim against that insurance policy. Talk to a personal injury attorney to discuss your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Identity Theft and Banking for California on
Q: How to verify legitimacy of email claiming to be from Federal Reserve Bank?

I received an email from someone claiming to be Mr. Powell, Chief Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank, stating that I owe a lump sum of money. The email includes his contact information and offers three methods for me to receive funds but requests my bank account and routing number. There were no... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Mar 22, 2025

The Federal Reserve Bank doesn't collect money from taxpayers. That's the IRS. If you must, the contact info for the Federal Reserve for the western US is here:

federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/federal-reserve-system-san-francisco.htm

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Consumer Law and Insurance Defense for California on
Q: Is it worth pursuing a personal injury claim against Vons? Offered $25,000.

I was shopping at Vons in the discounted section next to the swinging employee doors. Without warning, the door slammed open, and an employee hit me with a metal cart, causing me to fall. The emergency room physician ordered MRIs of my head, neck, and back, revealing several injuries, including a... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Mar 16, 2025

Money damages are based on a lot more than what you have posted, so no one can give you an accurate response. Age, part and future medical expenses, past and future pain and suffering, permanent disability, past and future wage loss, etc. are all things that attorneys would consider in trying to... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Legal Malpractice for California on
Q: How long to draft a demand letter for a personal injury case?

I have a personal injury case, and my attorney has had all the necessary information to complete a demand letter since December 10, 2024. Despite following up several times, including a follow-up 4 weeks ago, the demand letter has not yet been drafted. My attorney mentioned he is busy, and I have... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Mar 12, 2025

It depends on the case. Demands letters can be complex, with full argument and evidentiary support for all material facts that support liability, full sets of medical records and billing, and support with comparable cases which have settled or gone to verdict. Without knowing what your attorney... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Surgeon performed unauthorized colpocleisis at California hospital without my consent. How can I sue them?

I went into the hospital to have a vaginoplasty division, but the surgeon performed a colpocleisis without my consent, even though there was no reason for it. I have not been able to get the hospital to address the issue at all. What can I do to sue the hospital, given I don't have the money?

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Mar 11, 2025

You will need to retain a medical malpractice attorney. If you had recurrent proplapse, colpocleisis might have been the best available option, but it would seem that your surgeon should have obtained consent before proceeding. I review of your medical records by a surgeon and attorney to... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Bankruptcy, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death for California on
Q: Explore legal options for compensation from 1997 accident.

In 1997, my stepmother, brother, and I were hit by a drunk driver in Galt, CA. Unfortunately, my stepmother and brother were killed, and although I survived, I've had to undergo several surgeries since the accident. My mother sued and was awarded damages, but the driver filed for bankruptcy,... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Mar 10, 2025

That was 28 years ago. Any statute of limitation has long since expired. Your mother likely sued for wrongful death of your brother, and was likely awarded the policy limits of the drunk driver. Even if you were within the statute of limitations, there is likely no other money to collect. It is... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Is it legal to install a security camera in a shared garage despite policy prohibitions?

I rent an apartment with a shared garage, and I'm considering installing a security camera in the garage. However, there's a policy in place that prohibits surveillance devices. There are currently no other security measures in the garage. Is it legal for me to set up a camera without the... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Mar 10, 2025

A policy is not a law, so violation of a policy is not illegal. However, it is illegal to record another person who has a reasonable expectation of privacy, like in their home. Whether that applies to a common garage is unknown, but since there is a policy that prohibits surveillance devices,... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Consumer Law for California on
Q: Entitlement to new insurance rates after state limit changes post-accident.

I was in a car accident on May 23, 2024, and suffered knee contusions, strained back muscles, and whiplash. The insurance company is offering me $15,000 as a settlement; however, since then, the state insurance minimums have increased from $15,000 to $30,000. Am I entitled to the new rates or the... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Mar 6, 2025

Any policy issued in 2025 has to comply with the new rates. Since the policy with which you are dealing was issued in 2024, it can be a $15k/$30k policy. A consultation with an attorney may be appropriate to help determine if there are other potential sources of recovery.

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