People dealing with medical malpractice predicaments are often confused. A couple in Kentucky gives birth to a child, with all of the hopes and dreams that are attached to that experience. And, through the fault of a medical team, the baby is born with brain injury that results in cerebral palsy. In a situation of this sort, the family deserves the compensation that will allow them to care for their child –and to do so without the financial hardships that so many would face under these circumstances. And the child deserves compensation for the medical malpractice that has resulted in his situation.
Our job, at Gershon, Willoughby, Getz & Smith, LLC as doctors and lawyers trained to deal with medical malpractice in Kentucky, is to assist families in these situations. We assist families who have experienced a devastating medical malpractice situation in receiving the financial recoveries that they are entitled to – and that they need for their future. Our law firm determines if the cerebral palsy is due to a doctor or nurse’s mistake and we can work to create accountability for the terrible, preventable error that has occurred.
Here, we offer a wealth of resources to assist families in Kentucky to deal with their situation when their child is born with or diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy Assistance in Kentucky
Parent to Parent Kentucky
Parent to Parent Kentucky is a support network that enables parents who are raising children with special needs like cerebral palsy to connect with other parents. As their website explains, it allows parents to “connect with another parent who has already learned the language and found the resources.” Support parents are trained to lend support to those in need, and there are training dates throughout the year held throughout Kentucky.
Parent Information Network of Kentucky (PiNK)
Director: Veronica Brown
P.O. Box 5266
Louisville, KY 40255-0266
(502) 452-9802
e-mail: VWB511@AOL.com
Independent Living
The Center for Accessible Living is Kentucky’s first Independent Living Center with offices located in Louisville and Murray and services spanning the entire state of Kentucky. The Center for Accessible Living is a disability resource center for people with disabilities, governed by people with disabilities. It operates on a cross disability basis, which means that individuals will be served regardless of type of disability. Our experienced staff provides information, advocacy and services that create opportunities for people with disabilities to live as independently as possible.
Center For Accessible Living
Jeanne M. Gallimore, Director
1304-U Chestnut Street
Murray, KY 42071
(888) 261-6194; (502) 753-3980 (TTY)
E-mail: calmur@kih.net
Web: www.csal.com
Technology-Related Assistance
The KATS Network, the Kentucky Assistive Technology Act Program, serves Kentucky residents of all ages with disabilities of all types, their families, employers and employment service providers, educators, health care and social service providers, and others seeking information about assistive technology (AT) and accessible information technology.
Kentucky Assistive Technology Service (KATS) Network
Chase Forrester, Director
Charles McDowell Center
8412 Westport Road
Louisville, KY 40242
(502) 327-0022 (V/TTY); (800) 327-5287 (V/TTY, in KY only)
E-mail: katsnet@iglou.com
Web: www.katsnet.org
Government Assistance for Cerebral Palsy
For a family dealing with a cerebral palsy child, the financial burdens can have a major impact. The child will undoubtedly need treatments, equipment, medications, therapies, possible surgeries and more. Fortunately, there are many government assistance programs that can help families in Kentucky to deal with these costs and to receive assistance. Certainly, this list is not all-inclusive, but it should offer a starting point for the family struggling financially to deal with their child with cerebral palsy.
State Department Of Education:Special Education
Mike Armstrong, Director
Division of Exceptional Children’s Services
Kentucky Department of Education
Capitol Plaza Tower, 8th Floor
500 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-4970
E-mail: marmstro@KDE.state.ky.us
Web: www.kde.state.ky.us
State Division Of Vocational Rehabilitation
Sam Serraglio, Commissioner
Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
Cabinet for Workforce Development
209 St. Clair
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-4440
E-mail: sam.serraglio@mail.state.ky.us
Division Of Secondary Vocational Education
Donnalie Stratton, Program Consultant
Special Vocational Programs
Capitol Plaza Tower, Room 2114, 500 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-3775
E-mail: dstratto@KDE.state.ky.us
Web: www.kde.state.ky.us
State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
Pat Seybold, Executive Director
Kentucky DD Planning Council
Dept. For Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services
100 Fair Oaks Lane, 4E-F
Frankfort, KY 40621-0001
(502) 564-7842
E-mail: pfseybold@mail.state.ky.us
Protection And Advocacy Agency
Gayla O. Peach, Director
Department for Public Advocacy, P&A Division
100 Fair Oaks Lane, Third Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-2967; (800) 372-2988 (In KY) (Voice and TTY)
Other Resources for Assistance with Cerebral Palsy
Kentucky Easter Seal Society
Kerry Gillihan, President/CEO
2050 Versailles Road
Lexington, KY 40504
(800) 888-5377; (606) 254-5701
Kentucky Disabilities Coalition
Sharon Fields, Executive Director
Penny McDonald, Office Manager
Kentucky Disabilities Coalition
859 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 875-1871; (800) 977-7505
KY Partnership for Families and Children
Olivia Lightle, Executive Director
1410 Versailles Road, #6
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 695-5366; (502) 695-3410
(800) 369-0533
E-mail: kpfc@BellSouth.net