Maine mother awarded $25m in wrongful death suit over 15-year-old girl | Maine
A civil jury in Maine has awarded $25 million in damages to a woman whose teenage daughter died of leukemia after being misdiagnosed with a condition linked to men using steroids.
She called for 15-year-old Jasmine “Jazzy” Vincent to receive $10 million for her wrongful death in 2021 and $15 million for pain and suffering, her attorney Meryl Poulin said in Thursday’s harsh verdict in favor of Lyndsey Sutherland.
Poulin said Friday that the ruling could be appealed and that applicable Maine state law caps wrongful death damages at $750,000. However, Poulin said he hopes the amount awarded to his client sends “a clear message that Maine juries are willing to hold medical providers accountable when they fail to meet minimum standards of care.”
“There are so many words and yet so few words to describe the impact of this result,” Poulin added in a statement to the Guardian. “Watching Lyndsey continue to strive uphill, year after year, against the odds, to get justice for her daughter was beyond inspiring. This outcome was made possible because of her incredible tenacity and determination to get justice for Jazzy.”
“I hope this verdict finally brings some peace and closure to the tragic loss of this beautiful, innocent 15-year-old girl.”
Jazzy was first diagnosed with pneumonia after falling ill on July 14, 2021. reporting From Maine news outlet WMTW.
A doctor at Mid Coast Medical Group later concluded that Jazzy had gynecomastia, an increase in breast tissue commonly seen in men who use anabolic steroids. noted By the Portland Press Herald in Maine.
Jazzy later died of a heart attack on August 1, 2021, just over two weeks after she first reported feeling sick. It was later determined that Jazzy’s death was caused by fluid accumulation resulting from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Sutherland’s attorneys argued that it is a common type of pediatric cancer that responds well to treatment if properly diagnosed. Sutherland filed a lawsuit against Mid Coast, alleging negligence in the death of Jazzy, who lived in New Gloucester, Maine.
Attempts to contact Mid Coast Medical Group for comment were not immediately successful. But WMTW reported that Mid Coast’s attorneys argued that medical staff are tasked with making many decisions on a daily basis and should not be punished for honest mistakes.
Mid Coast’s attorneys also argued that another provider who first saw Jazzy also had some liability.
Jurors sided with Sutherland after the trial began Monday.
Sutherland testified during the trial, according to the court. Press Reporter.
“I don’t want anyone [else] While discussing why he was pressing ahead with his case on the witness stand, Sutherland reportedly said: “Nobody should have to do this.”
