The guardians of a disabled child’s $8 million medical malpractice estate cannot use the girl’s money for a bat mitzvah party or to bring the entire family on vacation, a Nassau County judge has held in a case of first impression.
District Court Judge Gary Knobel (See Profile) said neither Mental Hygiene Law Article 81 nor case law addresses the issues raised in Matter of the Application of Geoffrey M. and Jordana M., 28328-I-06. In denying the parents’ request to use any of the money for the party, and approving only part of the vacation request, Knobel cautioned the parents of Sigal M. that the settlement funds must last a lifetime.
