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1 Answer
| Asked
in
Medical Malpractice, Health Care Law, Civil Rights and Personal Injury
for
Washington
on
Q: Can I sue a WA physician for breaching my substance abuse record confidentiality?
I was a patient twice at a hospital in Washington State and, coincidentally, had the same physician both times. This physician accessed my Kaiser substance abuse records, which were supposed to be confidential, and incorporated them into the hospital notes. This breach of confidentiality has... View More 
PREMIUM
Emery Brett Ledger
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answered on Oct 9, 2026
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 9, 2026
Washington actually gives you a real lawsuit option here, which is not true in every state. Federal law is strict about substance use treatment records, but it mostly leaves enforcement to the government, so the private claim usually comes from state law.
Start with the federal piece.... View More
Q: Can I pursue a medical malpractice case for unexpected hernia surgery after gallbladder removal?
I am seeking legal advice regarding a gallbladder surgery I underwent on December 30, 2025, performed by Dr. Miyata Kenichi in Merced, California. I was initially informed that only my gallbladder would be removed, but I later discovered that a hernia repair was also performed. Approximately two... View More
PREMIUM
Emery Brett Ledger
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answered on Oct 9, 2026
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 9, 2026
Two separate questions are tucked inside your story, and they get analyzed differently.
The first is consent. If you agreed only to a gallbladder removal and the surgeon also performed a hernia repair you were never told about, that can be a lack of informed consent claim. Before drawing... View More
Q: Can I reclaim my retirement after my ex remarried?
As part of my divorce settlement, the court awarded my ex-spouse half of my retirement. Since then, she has remarried, while I have remained single. I am currently 80 years old, receiving social security and half of my retirement, and I also face medical conditions, including a history of strokes... View More
Richard Sternberg
answered on Oct 9, 2026
answered on Oct 9, 2026
While you should review the facts with an attorney, and you should start with the lawyer who represented you in the divorce, that is likely to be an uphill climb. Assuming the court divided your assets based on your marital wealth at the time of divorce, there is no reason to go back and change the... View More
Q: Can an executor alter a will in Oregon regarding beneficiaries?
In Oregon, is it legal for the executor of a will to modify or redact the terms of the will, specifically concerning the main beneficiary or next of kin? Is there any legal way for the executor to alter the will after the testator's passing, and what should I do if I suspect this is happening... View More
Theressa Hollis
answered on Oct 9, 2026
answered on Oct 9, 2026
No, the executor (Oregon calls this position the Personal Representative) cannot alter a Will before or after a person dies. If you believe that this is happening, you should inform the attorney for the Personal Representative. If this person does not have an attorney, you should consider hiring... View More
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Domestic Violence, Civil Rights, Gov & Administrative Law and Personal Injury
for
California
on
Q: How can I pursue legal action for spousal abuse in California?
I was a victim of spousal abuse in 2024 while I was incarcerated in California. I filed a police report, but I was denied access to medical attention and was not allowed to have any photographs taken at the time of the report. I've requested the police records to be sent to me, but there has... View More
PREMIUM
Emery Brett Ledger
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 9, 2026
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 9, 2026
There are two separate tracks here: getting the incident properly documented and investigated, and protecting your right to sue for the arm injury. Both are still possible, but some of the clocks are running.
Start with the report. Under California Family Code section 6228, a domestic... View More
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