Las Vegas Woman Sued Hospital After Wrongful Death Notice
A local mother filed a lawsuit after hospital staff incorrectly told her that her son had died.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Accidents
Marlene Garbowski has filed a lawsuit against Southern Hills Hospital in Las Vegas after staff incorrectly informed her that her son was a deceased patient. Garbowski believed her son was dead for three days before discovering he was alive.
Why it matters
The lawsuit alleges negligence and infliction of emotional distress, highlighting critical communication failures within hospital record-keeping systems. Southern Hills Hospital has acknowledged the error and described the incident as a learning tool.
The lawsuit was filed in Clark County District Court on September 30, 2026, with the plaintiff seeking a minimum of $15,000 in damages. The investigation into the procedural error remains open as the hospital reviews its notification protocols.
The players
Marlene Garbowski
She is the plaintiff who filed a lawsuit against Southern Hills Hospital after being falsely informed of her son's death.
Southern Hills Hospital
This is a medical facility located in Las Vegas that is currently being sued for negligence and emotional distress.
The details
The confusion began when Garbowski contacted the facility to request medical records for a social security application and was told the patient was deceased. A complaint manager later reached out to Garbowski to apologize for the life-altering misinformation.
Timeline
The incident occurred during 2024 when staff misidentified the patient.
The lawsuit was officially filed in Clark County District Court on September 30, 2026.
Legal Context
The lawsuit examines the intersection of hospital administrative negligence and the legal standards for emotional distress claims. It follows a pattern of litigation regarding medical reporting errors that challenge existing hospital communication protocols.
This case underscores the importance of verifying medical record accuracy when interacting with healthcare providers. Residents are reminded of their rights to request official clarification when receiving contradictory information from hospital staff.
The takeaway
Patients should always demand written verification when receiving significant medical news from healthcare staff. Clear communication protocols are vital to preventing the severe emotional trauma caused by preventable administrative errors.
Further reading
For more information on similar legal proceedings in the area, visit the Accidents section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSNV.
