A Maine mother has been awarded $25 million after a shocking medical misdiagnosis contributed to the death of her teenage daughter.
Jasmine “Jazzy” Vincent, just 15 years old, was initially diagnosed with a condition typically affecting men before it was later determined she had acute lymphoblastic leukemia—a treatable form of pediatric cancer if caught in time.
Misdiagnosis and Rapid Decline
Jazzy began feeling unwell on July 14, 2021, and her primary doctor diagnosed her with pneumonia.
Later, a doctor at Portland’s Mid Coast Medical Group mistakenly diagnosed her with gynecomastia, a condition more commonly found in men who use anabolic steroids, after noticing unusual breast tissue growth.
Tragically, within just three weeks of first feeling sick, Jazzy suffered cardiac arrest and passed away on August 1, 2021, just weeks before her 16th birthday.
Attorneys for her mother, Lyndsey Sutherland, later confirmed the cause was fluid buildup stemming from leukemia.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Sutherland filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the medical center, alleging negligence in the care of her daughter.
The jury sided with Sutherland, awarding $10 million for Jazzy’s wrongful death and an additional $15 million for pain and suffering.
“Watching Lyndsey push year after year against the odds to get justice for her daughter was beyond inspiring,” her lawyer Meryl Poulin said.
Ben Gideon, another attorney for Sutherland, added, “I hope this decision brings some sense of peace and closure for the tragic loss of this beautiful, innocent 15-year-old girl.
It also sends a clear message that Maine juries will hold medical providers accountable when they fail to meet minimum standards of care.”
Failures in Medical Care
During the trial, Sutherland’s legal team argued that Mid Coast Medical Group failed to provide standard care.
Doctors did not review Jazzy’s full medical history, did not conduct a complete set of vital signs, and failed to order imaging that would have revealed the true cause of her symptoms.
When Jazzy visited the center on July 26, 2021, she displayed a series of alarming signs, including enlarged, firm, and discolored breasts, distended veins across her chest, a prominent neck vein, a worsening cough, and shortness of breath.
Her primary doctor had initially attributed her symptoms to pneumonia.
Emergency Hospitalization
By July 31, Jazzy’s condition worsened, prompting her mother to rush her to the emergency room.
Imaging revealed a significant fluid buildup in her chest, and she was transferred to Maine Medical Center’s pediatric intensive care unit. Sadly, she passed away a day later.
The defense argued that medical professionals make difficult decisions daily and should not be penalized for errors, also suggesting blame could lie with Jazzy’s primary care center.
Remembering Jazzy
Following her daughter’s death, Sutherland set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral and medical expenses.
She described Jazzy as a “beautiful, fun-loving, outgoing young lady” who touched many lives.
Jazzy loved cheerleading, spending time with her sisters and nephew, helping her mother around the house, attending church, and enjoying outdoor activities like swimming and sunbathing.
Her obituary highlighted her vibrant personality: “Jasmine had a sparkle in her eye that caught everyone’s attention.
She was the puzzle piece to the whole family and friends.”
Legal Impact and Legacy
The verdict marks a significant outcome for the family and highlights the importance of accurate and timely medical care.
For Sutherland, the award represents both justice and recognition of the devastating consequences of medical misdiagnosis.