CAN HE BE SUED?
Yes, in fact at Applebys we have been pursuing actions against Mr Paterson for some time, long before his conviction and sentence. Paterson worked throughout the east and west midlands from the mid 1990’s and he has left behind him a trail of operations that could easily be described as sub-standard and in common parlance might be referred to as “botched”. In the earlier years of his career his practice was NHS based but increasingly his work was of a private nature. In either case there is clearly indemnity in place for his actions and his victims can rest assured that if they do have a case of negligence against him, a civil action can be pursued.
WHAT DID HE DO WRONG?
Paterson, essentially had 3 different negligent approaches, firstly he misdiagnosed, either patients who had no breast cancer or malignancy were diagnosed as having operable conditions. Secondly, patients with operable conditions were given a false “all clear”. Finally many patients who had operable conditions found those operations to be sub standard. It should be stated for the sake of completeness that not every patient he treated was “mistreated”, the majority of Paterson’s patients are likely to have received sound treatment. However, knowing which is which is going to take many years to determine.
HOW CAN APPLEBYS HELP?
We are working with some of the best most highly specialised breast and lung cancer Consultant Surgeons, Diagnostic Radiologists and Surgical Oncologists in the country to filter through these records for those who feel that they may have been subject to Paterson’s negligence. We do this on a no win no fee basis and once your records are gathered it may be a very rapid process to confirm whether or not you have a viable action.
WHAT WILL IT COST ME?
It will cost you nothing for us to review your position. If there is no action or your action fails we write off our costs completely. If you do succeed in your action, we charge a maximum of 12.5% of your damages (half what most solicitors charge for such claims). Remember, this is a deduction from your winnings. If you lose there is no charge from us at all.
WILL I HAVE TO GO TO COURT?
In almost all cases the answer is no, however, we cannot rule this out. Most serious actions like this however are subject to settlement or alternative dispute resolution such as mediation or arbitration. In any event we will support you all the way.