Medlaw Partnership of WNY - Center for Elder Law & Justice

About the MedLaw Partnership

The MedLaw Partnership of WNY is a collaboration that addresses health-harming civil legal issues facing patients, such as unlawful evictions, unsafe living conditions, lack of income or insurance based on improper denial of benefits, and lack of advance directives, among many others.

Our partners are Erie County Medical Center, Kaleida Health, and Western New York Breast Health. Please contact Helen Ferraro-Zaffram, Esq. at hzaffram@elderjusticeny.org if you would like to discuss a potential partnership with your health organization. To get involved as a volunteer attorney or law student, visit our volunteer page.

Referrals to the MedLaw Partnership are made directly by healthcare professionals who are trained to identify risk factors and common legal issues that impact their patients, such as:

Public Benefits/Income
Health insurance coverage & denials
Housing and utilities
Income maintenance
Employment rights
Immigration status
Elder financial and physical abuse
Health Care Proxy, Power of Attorney
Simple Wills
Mortgage foreclosure

Our partnership has a focus on providing services to individuals with a history of breast cancer. If you are a breast cancer patient or survivor, you are eligible for free legal help, regardless of where you receive your health care.

In addition to providing individual client representation, the MedLaw Partnership offers free educational programs to the public on important legal topics that may contribute to health disparities in the community. Past presentations include information on MLTC plans, supplemental needs pooled trusts, and recognizing and addressing elder abuse.

Contact Information

For more information or to see if you qualify for services, call 716-853-3087 x 250 or toll free at 1-844-700-1872.

Current satellite locations:

Buffalo General Medical Center and the Gates Vascular Institute

100 High Street Rm. 1108, Buffalo, NY

Erie County Medical Center

Snyder Building, 462 Grider St. Rm. 3065, Buffalo, NY

University at Buffalo's Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic

461 William St., Buffalo, NY

The MedLaw Partnership of WNY Project Directors:

Rachel Baldassaro, Esq.

Jesslyn Holbrook, Esq.

The MedLaw Partnership of WNY is made possible by the Judges & Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert (JALBCA) and the Kaleida Health Foundation.

FIGHT FOR HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

PROVIDE CONVENIENT & ACCESSIBLE SERVICES

ADDRESS COMPLEX SOCIAL NEEDS

PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE REPRESENTATION AND ADVICE

FAQs

Legal issues involving housing security, health insurance, employment rights, access to benefits, estate planning, immigration, and consumer debt, among others, become sources of stress for patients and can even be a barrier to receiving medical treatment. The MedLaw Partnership seeks to enhance the lives and health outcomes of individuals by addressing these needs. Our services include full representation, brief advice and counsel, and community education.

I am receiving treatment for cancer and I need to take time off from work, can you help me work with my employer to protect my job?

Yes, the MedLaw Partnership can advise you of your workplace rights and work with you and your employer in the hopes of reaching an accommodation that will allow you to keep your job while you obtain the health treatments you need.

DUE TO MY HOSPITALIZATIONS AND TREATMENT, I HAVE FALLEN BEHIND IN PAYING MY BILLS AND RENT. CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THESE PROBLEMS?

Yes, the MedLaw Partnership can help you determine if you qualify for any benefits, such as public assistance, unemployment benefits, or short-term disability. Obtaining these benefits may help you afford life essentials, such as food and housing. Additionally, we can help you with consumer debt problems by speaking and negotiating with your creditors.

DO YOU PROVIDE REPRESENTATION IN A MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUIT?

No, the MedLaw Partnership does not provide representation in medical malpractice lawsuits.