A devastated husband and father of two is suing for more than $2.7 million in connection with the loss of his wife, who passed away while holding his hand due to severe complications from routine back surgery.
After Tammie Lucas, 43, passed away from organ failure brought on by septic shock three days after an outpatient treatment in Townsville on August 20, 2019, Darryl Lucas filed separate lawsuits in Mackay and Rockhampton courts.
Mrs. Lucas had a caudal epidural steroid injection and spinal radiofrequency neurotomy to treat her back discomfort, but during the next three days, she died from complications.
The morning following her operation, according to court records, Mrs. Lucas awoke in excruciating agony and went to Townsville University Hospital before being told to go to Mater Private Hospital, according to the Courier Mail.
Heavy equipment operator Mrs. Lucas, who worked at the Saraji coal mine, first received painkillers and antibiotics until a diagnosis of “necrotizing fasciitis” forced her into immediate surgery.
She had two procedures the next day to remove necrotic tissue, but her health significantly deteriorated.
While Mr. Lucas was holding her hand, she passed away from septic shock-related organ failure.
According to Supreme Court records, Mrs. Lucas’ surgical incisions were contaminated with the Clostridium perfringens bacterium.
In one case, Mr. Lucas accuses Dr. Jason Scott, Mater Misericordiae Ltd., and Townsville Hospital and Health Service of negligence and breach of contract for an amount of $840,680 plus interest and fees.
The treatment was carried out by Dr. Scott at Townsville’s Mater Private Hospital.
Mr. Lucas, 47, claims that the loss of his wife left him with post-traumatic stress disorder and serious depression.
In the second case, Mr. Lucas and his sons Tyson, 22, and Dane, 18, filed a dependency claim for $1,885,592, including interest and costs, against the same three defendants in the Rockhampton Supreme Court.
Dr. Scott is accused of failing to recognise the severity of Mrs. Lucas’ illness and of failing to maintain the sterility of the operating room and Mrs. Lucas’ wound area.
Additionally, it was claimed that the Mater failed to immediately identify and treat her sepsis and either caused or allowed her to get sick.
Additionally, according to court filings, Mr. Lucas asserts that Townsville Hospital disregarded Australian Triage Guidelines, failed to immediately treat or diagnose an infection, and improperly evaluated, treated, or responded to the patient’s symptoms when she presented to the hospital.
According to lawsuit records, the doctor who treated Mrs. Lucas when she arrived at the Mater the morning after her treatment called Dr. Scott for help and learned that discomfort following such a procedure was not unusual.
Her nerves will be sensitive for two to three days, it was advised.