A New Jersey mother is suing Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas, alleging hospital staff incorrectly told her that her son had died even though he was alive.
The lawsuit, filed Sept. 30, 2026, accuses the hospital and employees of negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
According to the complaint, Marlene Garbowski contacted Southern Hills Hospital in November 2024 to obtain medical records for her son, Geoffrey, as part of his application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The hospital allegedly responded by email that the records could not be released because Geoffrey was a βdeceased patient.β
The lawsuit says that information was false and that Garbowski did not discover the error until three days later.
The case raises questions about the accuracy of medical records and communications involving patients, particularly when information about a patient’s status is being provided to family members.
Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Plaintiff | Marlene Garbowski |
| Defendant | Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center |
| Location | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Lawsuit filed | September 30, 2026 |
| Son identified in complaint | Geoffrey Garbowski |
| Main allegations | Negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress |
| Alleged error | Mother was reportedly told her living son was deceased |
| Hospital response | No immediate response was reported |
Southern Hills Hospital is located at 9300 W. Sunset Road in Las Vegas and is operated as a 311-bed hospital providing emergency, surgical and other medical services.
Why Did Marlene Garbowski Contact Southern Hills Hospital?
The lawsuit says Geoffrey had previously been a patient at Southern Hills Hospital around January 2024.
Several months later, on Nov. 1, 2024, Garbowski reportedly contacted the hospital to request copies of her son’s medical records.
The records were needed in connection with his application for Supplemental Security Income benefits.
SSI is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides monthly payments to qualifying people with limited income and resources who are 65 or older, blind or have a qualifying disability.
According to the complaint, Garbowski received an email from Southern Hills four days after making the request.
The lawsuit alleges that the hospital said it could not release the records because Geoffrey was listed as a deceased patient.
Hospital Allegedly Identified Son as Deceased
The central allegation in the Las Vegas hospital lawsuit is that Southern Hills provided Garbowski with incorrect information about her son’s status.
The complaint says Geoffrey was alive and remained alive after the hospital allegedly described him as deceased.
Garbowski allegedly did not learn that the information was incorrect for three days.
According to the lawsuit, the emotional impact was severe. Her attorneys claim she was unable to get out of bed and struggled to perform normal daily activities during that period.
The complaint further alleges that she took prescription anti-anxiety medication that she had not previously needed in an effort to cope with the distress she experienced after receiving the hospital’s message.
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Three-Day Period at Center of Emotional-Distress Claim
The lawsuit specifically connects the alleged false death notification with Garbowski’s claimed emotional and physical symptoms.
Her attorneys allege that the distress was not limited to sadness or anxiety.
They contend that she experienced physical manifestations, including being unable to get out of bed for approximately three days, and that she continues to experience psychological harm.
That distinction may be significant because Nevada courts have recognized that negligent infliction of emotional distress claims can involve serious emotional distress accompanied by physical injury or illness.
Nevada case law has discussed the requirement in the context of negligent infliction of emotional distress claims.
Whether Garbowski ultimately satisfies the legal requirements of her claim will be determined through the litigation.
The allegations in the complaint are not a court finding that the hospital was legally responsible.
Hospital Complaint Manager Allegedly Apologized
The lawsuit says the issue was later acknowledged by a complaint manager at Southern Hills Hospital.
According to the complaint, the manager contacted Garbowski weeks after the incident, apologized and described the mistake as a βlearning toolβ for the hospital.
Garbowski’s attorneys characterize the alleged apology and acknowledgment as evidence that the hospital recognized an error had occurred.
That is the plaintiff’s characterization of the incident, however, and the significance of those statements could ultimately depend on the evidence presented during the case.
Southern Hills Hospital did not immediately respond to a request for comment when the lawsuit was reported.
What the Lawsuit Claims About Medical Records
Garbowski’s lawsuit argues that Southern Hills had a responsibility to exercise reasonable care when communicating information about patients.
The complaint also points to Nevada requirements concerning the maintenance and handling of health records.
Nevada law requires custodians of health care records to retain patient records for specified periods and establishes requirements concerning the creation, maintenance, transmission and exchange of health records.
Nevada law also requires hospitals to establish quality-of-care committees, and state law contains requirements concerning hospital reporting and patient-care practices.
Those general statutory requirements do not by themselves establish liability in Garbowski’s case.
The court will have to determine whether the specific facts alleged in the complaint establish a legal violation and whether the claimed damages are recoverable.
Timeline of the Southern Hills Hospital Lawsuit
January 2024:
According to the lawsuit, Geoffrey Garbowski was previously a patient at Southern Hills Hospital.
Nov. 1, 2024:
Marlene Garbowski allegedly contacted the hospital seeking her son’s medical records for his SSI application.
Nov. 5, 2024:
The complaint says the hospital emailed Garbowski and referred to Geoffrey as a deceased patient.
Following three days:
The lawsuit alleges that Garbowski remained unaware that the information was incorrect and suffered severe emotional distress.
Weeks later:
According to the complaint, a hospital complaint manager contacted Garbowski, acknowledged the mistake and apologized.
Sept. 30, 2026:
Garbowski filed the lawsuit against Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center and employees, alleging negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Why Accurate Medical Information Matters
The case highlights the importance of accurate patient information in healthcare administration.
Medical records can be used for treatment decisions, insurance matters, disability-benefit applications and other administrative purposes.
Nevada law specifically addresses the retention and electronic maintenance of health care records.
For someone applying for SSI, documentation can also be an important part of the broader benefits process.
The Social Security Administration provides applicants with information about eligibility, applications and supporting requirements.
The lawsuit does not establish that the alleged error affected Geoffrey’s eligibility for SSI.
Instead, according to the complaint, the request for medical records was the reason Garbowski contacted the hospital.
What Happens Next in the Case?
The lawsuit remains a civil legal proceeding. The allegations will have to be addressed through the court process, and Southern Hills Hospital and the other defendants will have an opportunity to respond.
Potential future developments could include motions filed by the defendants, responses from Garbowski’s attorneys, discovery and other court proceedings.
Any eventual settlement or court ruling could provide additional information about the dispute.
At this stage, the available reporting does not establish that a court has found Southern Hills Hospital negligent or liable for Garbowski’s alleged emotional distress.
Allegations vs. Established Facts
It is important to distinguish the allegations from proven facts.
The lawsuit alleges that Southern Hills Hospital incorrectly identified Geoffrey Garbowski as deceased, that Garbowski learned of the error three days later, and that she suffered significant emotional and physical effects as a result.
The filing also alleges that a hospital complaint manager later acknowledged and apologized for the error.
Those allegations have not been adjudicated.
Southern Hills Hospital had not immediately provided a public response to the request for comment cited in the initial report.
Important Legal Disclaimer
The information in this article is based on allegations contained in a civil lawsuit and publicly available reporting.
Allegations in a complaint are not proof of wrongdoing, and defendants are presumed not liable unless liability is established through the legal process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Southern Hills Hospital sued?
Yes. Marlene Garbowski filed a lawsuit on Sept. 30, 2026, naming Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center and employees as defendants. The lawsuit alleges negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Why did Garbowski contact the hospital?
According to the lawsuit, she contacted Southern Hills Hospital on Nov. 1, 2024, to obtain her son’s medical records for his SSI application.
What did the hospital allegedly tell her?
The complaint says the hospital informed Garbowski by email that her son’s medical records could not be released because he was identified as a deceased patient.
Was Garbowski’s son actually dead?
According to the lawsuit, no. The complaint alleges that Geoffrey Garbowski was alive and remains alive.
How long did the alleged error go undiscovered?
The lawsuit says Garbowski learned the information was incorrect three days after receiving the hospital’s message.
What damages does the lawsuit allege?
The complaint alleges severe emotional distress, physical manifestations including an inability to get out of bed for approximately three days, use of prescription anti-anxiety medication and continuing psychological harm.
Has Southern Hills Hospital admitted liability?
The available reporting says a hospital complaint manager allegedly acknowledged and apologized for the error. However, that does not establish legal liability. Southern Hills Hospital had not immediately responded to a request for comment when the case was reported.
Where is Southern Hills Hospital located?
Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center is located at 9300 W. Sunset Road in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What is the status of the lawsuit?
The lawsuit was filed Sept. 30, 2026. Based on the reporting reviewed for this article, the case remains ongoing and no final judgment establishing liability has been reported.
