MONROVIA – The family of the late Lovette Tamba has filed a $25 million wrongful death lawsuit against the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFK) and one of its medical practitioners, alleging medical malpractice that led to her death and the loss of her unborn child. The lawsuit, filed by the family’s legal team from Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus and AFDASA Consultancy, details claims of negligence and professional misconduct surrounding the tragic incident.
According to court documents, Tamba, who was 26 weeks pregnant at the time of her death, died under circumstances the family asserts were marked by medical negligence and mishandling by JFK’s management and Dr. Gonkerneu Nuahn. The suit seeks $7 million in special damages and $10 million in general damages from JFK, along with $3 million in special damages and $5 million in general damages from Dr. Nuahn.
The filing emphasizes the profound psychological, emotional, and financial toll the loss has inflicted on Tamba’s surviving four-year-old daughter, Destiny Kerkula, and the family. “No amount of money can compensate for the irreparable loss,” the lawsuit states, “but the damages sought reflect the depth of grief, trauma, and ongoing suffering endured by the deceased’s loved ones.”
In addition to the malpractice claims, the lawsuit alleges that Dr. Nuahn attempted to conceal the circumstances surrounding Tamba’s death by threatening colleagues who were believed to have critical knowledge of the case. The filing accuses Dr. Nuahn of “planning, organizing, and issuing threats to other doctors suspected of having critical information,” in an effort to suppress evidence that could emerge during trial.
The family is requesting a full judicial hearing and is seeking to hold both JFK Medical Center and Dr. Nuahn jointly liable for the tragic loss. They have petitioned the court for all reliefs deemed just and equitable.
Separately, the Liberia Medical & Dental Council (LMDC) has recommended punitive measures against the medical personnel involved in what it described as an unnecessary delay in Tamba’s treatment. The council also advised that JFK Medical Center’s administration establish contact with the family to formally express condolences. In an official statement, the Ethics & Disciplinary Committee of the LMDC reaffirmed its deepest condolences to the family for their loss.
