Mr Patterson's lawsuit is one of five brought against the state's police department, including one by the relatives of cafe owner Sisto Malaspina, who was killed in the attack in 2018.

The cases all allege negligence on the part of the police leading up to the attack on November 18, in which preparator Hassan Khalif Shire Ali set his vehicle on fire and stabbed three people, killing one.

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Mr Patterson, who had previously worked as a firefighter, was visiting Melbourne at the time of the attack and rushed over to the car fire to help before being stabbed in the head.

Shire Ali was ultimately shot and killed by police and Mr Patterson was taken to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital to be treated.

He is well-known in the Launceston community for his involvement in the South Launceston Football Club as well as the former franchisee of the city's Autobarn.

A writ submitted on behalf of Mr Patterson to the County Court of Victoria alleges that Victoria Police "knew the dangers which existed for members of the public" before the attack happened.

More specifically, the legal action alleges that members of the police failed to adequately monitor Hassan Khalif Shire Ali in the lead-up to the attack.

Following the event, Mr Patterson's case claims he not only "suffered physical stabbing wounds" but also subsequent "sequelae, depression and anxiety".

Details further outlining the effect the attack has had on Mr Patterson are expected before the hearing starts.

Mr Patterson spent much of the intervening years since the attack living in Launceston but recently moved to Melbourne.

The legal action follows the release of an inquest into the attack, earlier this year.

Judge John Cain, who led the inquest, cited the "deficient procedures" by Victoria Police's Security Intelligence Unit, which he claims led to the "delayed completion of tasks" and "missed opportunities".