Las Vegas Resident Sued Hospital After Wrongful Death Notice
A mother is seeking damages after Southern Hills Hospital staff erroneously reported her son was deceased.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Accidents
Marlene Garbowski filed a lawsuit in Clark County District Court after Southern Hills Hospital staff mistakenly informed her that her son had died. Garbowski endured three days of grief believing her son was dead before the facility corrected the error.
Why it matters
The lawsuit alleges negligence and emotional distress stemming from the hospital's mistake during a records inquiry. It raises questions about how patient records are handled and verified within the local healthcare system.
The lawsuit seeks at least $15,000 in damages for an incident that left a local resident believing her son was dead for 3 days. Specific outcomes of the litigation remain pending in the Clark County District Court.
The players
Marlene Garbowski
The local resident who filed the lawsuit after being misinformed of her son's death.
Southern Hills Hospital
The healthcare facility named as the defendant in the negligence lawsuit.
The details
The error occurred when Garbowski contacted the hospital to request medical records for a social security application and was told her son was a deceased patient. While a hospital complaint manager later contacted her to apologize, characterizing the event as a learning tool, Garbowski moved forward with legal action. The complaint, filed in Clark County District Court, names Southern Hills Hospital as the defendant.
Timeline
The misidentification incident occurred in 2024.
The lawsuit was filed in Clark County District Court on September 30, 2026.
Beyond the Strip
Medical record errors like this mark a departure from the established accuracy standards expected in Las Vegas hospitals. The case highlights how administrative oversights create profound emotional impact for local families.
This case highlights the importance of verifying sensitive information provided by hospital administrative staff. Residents should be aware that record release procedures are subject to human error.
The takeaway
Patients or families who receive concerning medical record information should request written confirmation or speak directly with a patient advocate to verify the facts. Monitor the Clark County District Court docket for future developments in this case.
Further reading
For more on local reporting and incidents, visit the Accidents section.
