People stuck in terrible medical malpractice predicaments often don’t know what to do.  A couple in Maryland 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 Maryland, 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 Maryland to deal with their situation when their child is born with or diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

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 Maryland 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.

Medicaid: This federally funded, state run program helps low-income individuals and families who qualify.  While the exact assistance is dependent on the economic needs of the family and the restrictions of the program, the typical assistance includes vision care, immunizations, hospitalizations, dental work, screenings and more.  There are also home health services that are offered through Medicaid. To find out about Medicaid and to see if you qualify for these services, contact: Medicaid, Maryland Medical Assistance Program at (800) 332-6347.

Medicare: This federally funded program provides assistance to people over 65 and to those under 65 who have disabilities.  The local Social Security Administration offices in the State help families and individuals to determine if they are eligible for Medicare.  In addition, the Social Security Administration can offer information about other programs that they have to assist individuals with specific medical conditions. Such programs include the SSI program, TANF, food stamps and more. To learn more, contact the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in Baltimore at (800)MEDICARE or (800)633-4227 or TTY (877)486-2048.

CHIP: The Children’s Health Insurance Program offers a low-cost way to get health insurance for uninsured children whose parents make too much money for Medicaid, but too little to have their own private insurance. With CHIP, a child with cerebral palsy who is determined to be eligible might receive assistance for preventative care and routine check-ups, for immunizations and hospital visits and more. For more information, contact the Maryland Children’s Health Program (SCHIP) at (800)332-6347 or (800)456-8900
Social Service Resources for Children with Cerebral Palsy

There is a wealth of resources for families dealing with cerebral palsy. Here is a list of some of the resources and offices that can help families with their needs.

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Beatrice Rodgers, Director
Governor’s Office for Individuals with Disabilities
One Market Center, Box 10
300 West Lexington Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-3435
(410) 333-3098 (V/TTY)
E-mail: oid@clark.net

STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: SPECIAL EDUCATION
Carol Ann Baglin, Assistant State Superintendent
Department of Education, Division of Special Education
Early Intervention Services
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-2595
(410) 767-0238
E-mail: cbaglin@msde.state.md.us
Web: www.msde.state.md.us

PROGRAMS FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS WITH DISABILITIES:
AGES BIRTH THROUGH 3
Deborah Metzger, Program Manager
Program Development and Assistance Branch
Division of Special Education
Early Intervention Services
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 767-0237; (800) 535-0182 (in MD)

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES:
AGES 3-21
Jerry F. White, Program Manager
Department of Education
Division of Special Education
Early Intervention Services
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 767-0249
E-mail: jwhite@msde.state.md.us

STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCY
Robert Burns, Assistant State Superintendent
Division of Rehabilitation Services
Department of Education, Maryland Rehabilitation Center
2301 Argonne Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218-1696
(410) 554-9385
E-mail: dors@state.md.us
Web: www.dors.state.md.us/

STATE MENTAL HEALTH AGENCY
Oscar Morgan, Director
Mental Hygiene Admin.
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
201 West Preston Street, Suite 416A
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 767-6655
E-mail: morgano@dhmh.state.md.us

STATE MENTAL HEALTH REPRESENTATIVE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Albert Zachik, Assistant Director
Mental Hygiene Administration
Child & Adolescent Services
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
201 West Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 767-6649

STATE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PLANNING COUNCIL
Mindy Morrell, Executive Director
MD Developmental Disabilities Council
300 West Lexington Street, Box 10
Baltimore, MD 21201-2323
(410) 333-3688
E-mail: MDDC@erols.com

PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY AGENCY
Philip Fornaci, Executive Director
Maryland Disability Law Center
1800 N. Charles, Suite 204
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 727-6352; (800) 233-7201
E-mail: philf@MDLCBALTO.org

CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Peggy Dew, Director
Client Assistance Program
Department of Education
Division of Rehabilitation Services
2301 Argonne Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 554-9358; (800) 638-6243
Web: www.dors.state.md.us/cap.html

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS
Sandra J. Malone, Chief
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
Children?s Medical Services Program- Unit 50
20l West Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 225-5580; (800) 638-8864
E-mail: Malones@DHMH.state.md.us

Cerebral Palsy
Mitzi Bernard, Executive Director
United Cerebral Palsy of Southern MD
49 Old Solomons Island Rd., Suite 301
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 897-9545
E-mail: somducp@earthlink.net
Web: www.sitestar.com/ucp/

PARENT-TO-PARENT
Mona Freedman, Family Support Services Coordinator
Division of Special Education, Early Intervention Services
Department of Education
200 West Baltimore Street, 4th floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 767-0652; (800) 535-0182 (in MD only)