Grieving son sues Dr Reza Adib for $520k

A man whose mother allegedly died in front of him just days after surgery carried out by former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s partner is suing the doctor and hospital.

Annastacia Palaszczuk and Dr Reza Adib. Picture: Portia Large.

A man whose mother allegedly died in front of him just days after surgery carried out by former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s partner is suing the doctor and Brisbane’s Wesley Hospital for more than $520,000.

In a medical negligence lawsuit filed recently in the District Court, Robert Hicks alleges he was left traumatised after watching paramedics try unsuccessfully to revive his mother, Rosemarie Campbell, at her Gold Coast home following the operation by the Brisbane Obesity Clinic’s Dr Reza Adib. He alleges Dr Adib rang him after she died to say she was “fine” when she left hospital. An inquest into Ms Campbell’s death will be held in June.

Mr Hicks, 36, is suing Wesley Hospital operator UnitingCare Queensland and Dr Adib for negligence, claiming they failed to warn her of risks such as sepsis and pneumonia, which caused or contributed to his mum’s death. His claim alleges his mother died on February 27, 2022, three days after undergoing gastric bypass surgery and gastroscopy by Dr Adib.

Rosemarie Campbell. Picture: supplied

Court documents allege that following the surgery and before she was discharged on February 26, 2022, Ms Campbell complained to nursing staff about discomfort, pain and inability to keep down food.

The documents allege she was “vomiting continuously” and remained nauseous despite being given anti-nausea medication.

According to the claim, she was discharged into the care of her husband, told to wear compression stockings, given a special diet and education materials and booked for a check-up two weeks later.

Mr Hicks alleged he became increasingly concerned about his mother when he could not contact her after she left hospital, and was told by his sister her health was deteriorating.

Rosemarie Campbell. Picture: supplied

He claimed that on February 27, his brother and sister rang to tell him their mother had “collapsed and was unresponsive” at her home. Mr Hicks alleged he arrived at the same time as paramedics, who worked on her for about an hour, but she died at the scene.

“(Mr Hicks) was witness to the incident, the treatment and attempted resuscitation and the trauma that followed thereafter,” the claim states.

Court documents allege Mr Hicks was at the home the following day when he believed police “seized” his late mother’s medication, and where he took a call from Dr Adib who told him words to the effect: “Your mother was fine when she left the hospital.”

Dr Reza Adib. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

“(Mr Hicks) is of the genuine belief that (Dr Adib) did not personally examine nor review (Ms Campbell) prior to her discharge (from hospital),” the claim contends.

Mr Hicks’ claim alleges that his mother’s death triggered “a recognised psychiatric illness” requiring treatment.

It alleges he was also forced to take extended leave from his $153,000-a-year job as a construction and demolition manager, and ultimately resign, so he could “manage his health” including “low moods, stress and distrust”.

The claim alleges Dr Adib and the Wesley breached their duty of care to Ms Campbell by failing to adequately examine her and care for her during and following surgery.

Mr Hicks is seeking a total of $524,870.50 in damages.

Dr Adib and the Wesley Hospital did not comment.

Originally published as Grieving son sues Dr Reza Adib for $520k