Helen Rowe partner of
Adam Bell has received an award of damages from Mr Bell’s GP.
Adam had been feeling unwell and losing weight for some weeks. Whilst Helen was away, Adam’s condition deteriorated suddenly to such a degree that he called his GP and asked him for a home visit on 23rd May 2005. By the time the GP attended Adam was showing signs that he was hallucinating, he had lost a lot of weight and told his GP that he was thirsty. Additionally, he had a raised pulse, he was hyperventilating, lethargic and buckets of urine were later found in his bedroom after he was found dead. This would have indicated that Adam was urinating a large amount which is a symptom of diabetes; it was also an indication that Adam had been too ill to go to the lavatory.
Failure to test for diabetes
The GP failed to do a simple blood or urine test to check for glucose and diagnosed gastroenteritis. Adam was told to telephone his GP if his condition deteriorated. Adam was sadly found dead on 26th May 2005 on the landing at his home. A post mortem and toxicology report was conducted and confirmed that he had died of diabetic ketoacidosis as a result of undiagnosed type 1 diabetes.
Adam’s GP settled an award of damages out of Court at a round the table settlement meeting on 31st May 2007 with Helen Rowe.
Adam Bell Foundation
Helen Rowe has set up a charity in Adam’s name called the
Adam Bell Foundation. Helen and Adam’s family are committed to increasing the awareness of the symptoms of diabetes and it’s potential to kill if undiagnosed.
For more information regarding the case please contact
Suzanne White, Helen Rowe’s solicitor, on 020 7650 1200.
Information was correct at time of publishing. See terms and conditions for further details.