Bahamian mother wins $186K after baby's preventable death

Lendeisha Culmer-Hanna has been awarded $186,063.64 in damages after a Bahamian court found that the death of her first child during childbirth in 2012 was caused by negligent medical care. Justice Indra Charles established liability in 2023, finding that the care provided by Dr Leslie Culmer and ACL Medical Office Centre fell below the standard of reasonably accepted obstetric care. Supreme Court Registrar Renaldo Toote subsequently quantified the damages, which were reported publicly in February 2026. According to a Tribune report, key steps to manage a known childbirth emergency were not taken and the baby was delivered without a heartbeat. In addition to the damages award, Culmer-Hanna was granted $25,000 in legal costs, bringing the total monetary consequences to defendants to more than $211,000.

The award sends a clear signal that Bahamian courts will hold medical professionals and private clinics accountable when care falls below accepted professional standards — and that aggravated damages are available where a defendant's conduct compounds a patient's suffering. The inclusion of $20,000 in aggravated damages, alongside the $150,000 awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, reflects judicial recognition that Culmer-Hanna endured not only the loss of her child but also wrongful blame that contributed to a diagnosed mental health condition.

"The total damages of $186,063.64 include $150,000 for pain, suffering and loss of amenity and $20,000 in aggravated damages — on top of $25,000 in legal costs — bringing total monetary consequences to defendants above $211,000."

— Supreme Court Registrar Renaldo Toote's damages assessment, as reported by Our News and Bahamas Local

Justice for the mother: Our News framed the award as a significant outcome for Culmer-Hanna after a long-running legal battle stemming from a 2012 childbirth death. The broadcast highlighted the ruling as a lead story, reflecting public interest in accountability for medical negligence in the Bahamas.

Judicial accountability for medical standards: The court's 2023 finding that care by Dr Culmer and ACL Medical Office Centre fell below the standard of reasonably accepted obstetric care established a formal judicial benchmark, signalling that private medical providers are not exempt from professional accountability through the courts.

Recognition of psychological harm: According to court findings reported by Bahamas Local, the wrongful blaming of Culmer-Hanna for her baby's death contributed to her developing major depressive disorder — a dimension of harm the court addressed through the aggravated damages component of the award.