Spire Healthcare has confirmed that the fund created in 2021 to settle claims brought by former patients of rogue surgeon Ian Paterson has been topped up to enable payment to be made to our clients where the compensation amount has already been agreed.
This will allow those claims to be brought to an earlier settlement and enable Paterson’s victims to move forward with their lives.
The claims initially related to Paterson’s breast surgery, but there are now hundreds more cases in which victims have been operated on by him for other reasons, including our client Hilary Brodie who had unnecessary surgery on her leg.
However, the Paterson scandal is far from over. The coroner’s inquest process has moved forward with a pre-inquest review hearing and almost 900 more deaths are being investigated. We are acting in another such case where an inquest has been opened into the death of a woman following treatment at a Spire hospital.
The impact of Ian Paterson’s actions has resulted in huge costs for Spire, which faces the prospect of paying out millions more in compensation to those affected. The consequences of this scandal are widespread and continue to blight the lives of many involved.
Despite creating a scheme to pay compensation quickly, the Spire private hospital has had to delay processing pay-outs to those who have been affected. Spire Healthcare claimed £20 million from their insurers, RSA, but the courts ruled last year that because the claims related to one doctors’ action, the insurers £10 million per claim limit would apply. Some additional funds have since been added to the compensation fund, but the amount has not been confirmed.
The number of claims continues to rise, surpassing the hospitals initial expectations, and further prolonging the settlement process, a situation which further adds to the burden and stress experienced by former patients seeking compensation for the harm caused by the unnecessary procedures.
Kashmir Uppal, Partner and specialist in clinical negligence, who represents Mrs Brodie and many other victims of Paterson’s failings, said: “the number of victims who have suffered at the hands of Paterson, has publicly exposed alarming medical malpractice. The ongoing pay-outs serve as a warning of the consequences of negligence. It is important that the medical and regulatory bodies as a whole work together to prevent such events ever occurring again.”
The Times: Spire payouts mount as victims of rogue surgeon Ian Paterson emerge
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. © Shoosmiths LLP 2024
