REPRESENTING CLIENTS IN ATLANTA, AUGUSTA, COLUMBUS, MACON, SAVANNAH, GAINESVILLE, LAWRENCEVILLE, DECATUR, JONESBORO & THROUGHOUT GEORGIA
When your family is forced to deal with the consequences of a birth injury, it can be very difficult to know where to turn for help. Certainly, hiring a birth injury lawyer who can represent your family in legal proceedings and fight for the compensation you will need to carry on will prove helpful, but there are many practical considerations before, during, and even after legal action that can leave many families struggling to make ends meet.
At Lourie, Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, our birth injury lawyers are fully dedicated to the health, happiness, and long-term comfort of families dealing with serious birth injuries. No one should be asked to deal with the physical and developmental disabilities caused by birth injury without assistance. Call our Atlanta office at 404-760-7400 to schedule a cost and obligation-free case review where we can provide honest answers about your options and help you choose the best path forward for your family.
RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR FAMILIES
One of the most remarkable programs for children with special needs in Georgia is Babies Can’t Wait. This program provides support and financial assistance for adaptive technology, special schooling, and additional services that may be required for children with developmental or physical disabilities.
Designed to help the most vulnerable among us, the Babies Can’t Wait program is open to all children under the age of three with a qualifying birth defect or developmental disability.
Medicaid, in general, is a good resource for children with disabilities. The Katie Beckett Waiver, in particular, is designed to assist in these cases.
The Katie Beckett Waiver is part of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act/TEFRA. It allows the state to ignore income limits for families with children born with disabilities until those children reach 18 years of age and become eligible for other government services.
Some families choose to start a special needs trust. This type of irrevocable trust allows dependents with special needs to use property held in their name without losing government benefits.
A special needs trust can be very useful in cases where a settlement or verdict results in significant compensation. Placing your child’s settlement in a special needs trust preserves it, allowing him or her to use it as needed throughout their life.
CONSIDER THE COSTS
Children born with special needs often require multiple medical procedures before they are even old enough to walk. Some will need continuing therapy and medical services throughout their lives. Others may require at-home assistance, special schooling, or constant monitoring. All of these things cost money.
Very few families are equipped to handle the extreme financial strain of raising a special needs child, which can be five-times or more higher than raising a child born without a disability. Reaching out for assistance is often essential for avoiding financial ruin.
Utilizing available resources can help ease financial burdens while giving your child the care and services required to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
The attorneys at Lourie, Chance, Forlines, Carter & King are here to help families dealing with birth injury get justice. We can help you find the appropriate resources and services while building a strong case that seeks fair and full compensation for all of your child’s needs. Please call us at 404-760-7400 to schedule a complimentary case review and learn more.