The “devastated” family of a Queensland man who died from blood loss after having three teeth pulled has alleged his death was “avoidable”.
Gregory O’Sullivan died in March 2019, just before his 63rd birthday and four weeks before his daughter’s wedding and less than a day after having the “routine dental procedure” at Complete Dental Wynnum, according to a statement of claim filed by his widow Lynne.
“Greg was meant to walk his daughter down the aisle four weeks after his dental procedure,” she said.
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“This has devastated our children and our grandchildren, who adored Greg.
“We had been together for 40 years and married for over 28 years. He was my best friend and the love of my life.”
Lynne O’Sullivan has launched a $1.24 million negligence lawsuit against the dental practice, dentist Roger Roland Bastow and a home doctor in the Queensland Supreme Court.
The defendant parties are yet to lodge their response to the claim to the court, however, a spokesperson for the dental business said it would be defended.
The claim, seen by 7NEWS.com.au, alleges O’Sullivan bled from the tooth extraction sites more than would usually be expected as a result of the procedure.
He continued to bleed heavily while in the practice’s recovery area but the extraction sites were not sutured, rather O’Sullivan was given a large amount of gauze, the lawsuit alleges.
He was allegedly sent home the same afternoon with two large packets of gauze but was not provided any information about how much more bleeding should prompt him to go to hospital.
About 7.30pm that day, Lynne called a home doctor due to the continued bleeding, having constantly replaced the gauze when it was full of blood, according to the claim.
She alleges her husband was pale and unwell when he was inspected by the home doctor, Alexis Benitez Lazzarotto, who examined his mouth for less than a minute.
Lazzarotto did not provide any meaningful information or advice and said she should continue to apply the gauze, the claim alleges.
O’Sullivan continued to bleed that night and collapsed about 7.20am the next day. Paramedics could not revive him and he died at the home from hypovolaemic shock and haemorrhage.
“He survived less than 24 hours after having the teeth pulled in what should have been a routine dental procedure,” Lynne O’Sullivan said.
The lawsuit is claiming costs for her to have treatment for psychological injuries, as well as her and her husband’s loss of income, plus his funeral expenses.
“We are seeking compensation on Lynne’s behalf due to the devastating consequences of Greg’s death,” Maurice Blackburn’s Kirsten Van der Wal, acting for the O’Sullivan’s, said in a statement.
A spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au Bastow and Complete Dental Wynnum intended to defend the case and further comment would be inappropriate as the matter is before the court.
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