Are you entitled to make an Ian Paterson compensation claim for breast surgery malpractice?
In 2015 Ian Paterson, a surgeon who carried out breast surgery for the NHS in Birmingham and privately at Spire Healthcare in Little Aston and Parkway Hospitals, was struck off by the General Medical Council. He was also convicted and jailed for 17 counts of wounding with intent and three counts of unlawful wounding.
The scandal resulted in his patients pursuing medical negligence compensation claims. However, as part of the settlement terms 40 firms of solicitors agreed with Spire Healthcare not to bring any further cases against Ian Paterson/Spire Healthcare for the next 20 years. Slee Blackwell solicitors were not party to that agreement.
In recent weeks it has emerged that a large number of Ian Paterson’s patients were not previously identified and have not therefore received the compensation they are entitled to.
Following an inquiry in February 2020, a recommendation was made that all 11,000 private and NHS patients of Ian Paterson should be recalled by the hospital. We understand that patients are now learning that they too have been victims of Ian Paterson’s malpractice.
Those victims must seek specialist legal representation, but cannot use the 40 firms who previously agreed not to pursue further claims. Accordingly our specialist team are on hand to help these newly identified victims claim compensation and are able to do so on a no win, no fee basis.
Our team have extensive experience of dealing with breast surgery claims and represent over 400 victims in the PIP breast implant scandal.
One of the areas of Ian Paterson’s practice that has recently come under the spotlight is in relation to mastectomy surgery. National Guidelines state that 98% of breast tissue should be removed during a mastectomy to provide the best chance of preventing the cancer coming back. However, Ian Paterson performed an experimental procedure which left too much tissue behind. This has significantly increased the risk of the cancer returning in these patients and requires them to undergo additional investigation and further surgery.
The review into Ian Paterson’s private patients also identified his practice of over-treating patients and performing surgery that was unnecessary, telling patients that their condition was worse than it was and informing them they had cancer when they didn’t.
In February 2020, the Health Minister stated:
“There was a catalogue of failings that caused harm to thousands of patients… I apologise on behalf of the Government and the NHS for what happened. Not least that Ian Paterson was able to practice unchecked for so long.”
For free guidance on making an Ian Paterson compensation claim for breast surgery malpractice call our free legal helpline on 0333 888 0404 or email us in confidence at [email protected]
