The fight over compensation for Dr Jayant Patel’s patients raged on yesterday with lawyers refuting Premier Peter Beattie’s claim unlimited funds are available.

Patients and their lawyers are up in arms over Mr Beattie’s announcement that compensation for the pain and suffering endured by the victims is not limited to $250,000.

Victims left with constant pain and scarring may only receive minuscule compensation due to the government’s revised personal injury laws.

However, people whose relatives have died after botched operations are still arguing with the state government over what compensation they should receive.

Bundaberg Hospital Support Group co-convenor Beryl Crosby said she had approached Attorney-General Rod Welford to ask Premier Beattie to make a “special case” for the victims.

“During the Waterfall train disaster in New South Wales the government made a special case because it took responsibility for what happened,” Mrs Crosby said.

“Premier Beattie has taken responsibility for what happened here so we think he should make a special case.”

Mrs Crosby said Mr Beattie was flying to the US this week, but she had been assured he would be contacted and would provide an answer before tomorrow night’s support group meeting.

Carter Capner partner Ian Brown, who is representing more than 100 of Dr Patel’s victims, said Mr Beattie was wrong about the compensation.

“He still hasn’t got it right – the compensation is capped at $250,000,” Mr Brown said.

“But in all fairness to the state government, they are getting the patients treated and I think that once the Premier realises how the laws will affect the patients he will ensure that they are properly compensated.”

He said the Queensland Government’s Civil Liability Act 2003 made it difficult to determine exactly how much Dr Patel’s victims could be entitled to.

The compensation wrangle enraged Gold Coast injury lawyer Bruce Simmonds of Parker Simmonds Solicitors so much he has offered free representation to Dr Patel patients in protest.

“This is not a gimmick,” Mr Simmonds said.

“The situation facing the injury victims of Dr Death is inexcusable.

“The state government failed these people and although there are reassurances they will receive compensation the unanswered question is how much?”

Mr Beattie did announce yesterday that the application for funding to ensure the Bundaberg Hospital Support Group was legally represented at the Bundaberg sittings of the Morris inquiry had been approved.

Meanwhile another shock surfaced within the Dr Patel scandal yesterday with allegations in The Australian Dr Peter Miach, a key witness against Dr Patel, was not properly registered as a specialist.

The report yesterday claimed Dr Miach only had general registration through the Queensland Medical Board.

A spokeswoman for Dr Miach reportedly said the board would know of his qualifications and should correct the register.