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A Las Vegas mother alleges that a hospital email about her son’s medical-records request wrongly called him a “deceased patient,” leading her to believe he had died for about three days. The claim is part of a pending lawsuit; the hospital says its review points to an error in a process handled by a third-party vendor and disputes that the allegations fully reflect the circumstances.
What the lawsuit alleges
Geoffrey Garbowski had received treatment at Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center in January 2024, according to reports describing the complaint. His mother, Marlene Garbowski, later contacted the hospital seeking records for his Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application.
The complaint says she made the request on Nov. 1, 2024, and received an email on Nov. 5 saying the records could not be released because Geoffrey was a “deceased patient.” It alleges that he was alive and that his mother did not learn the email was wrong until three days later. The complaint states: “This statement was false.” It also says: “Geoffrey was, and remains, alive.” Both sentences are the complaint’s allegations, not findings by a court. Law&Crime
This was reportedly an email response to a records request, not an in-person death notification. The complaint alleges Marlene was unable to function during the period and took prescription anti-anxiety medicine she had not previously needed. Those descriptions are allegations in the complaint, not independent medical findings.
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What the hospital and the family’s lawyer have said
The complaint says a hospital complaint manager contacted Marlene weeks later, acknowledged an error and apologized, describing the incident as a “learning tool.” That is the complaint’s account of the manager’s comments.
Southern Hills said it was “sympathetic to the concerns raised by this situation” and that its review indicated “an error occurred in a process handled by a third-party vendor.” The hospital also said “the allegations do not fully reflect the circumstances” and declined further comment because the matter is in litigation. The reports do not establish what the vendor did or how the deceased status appeared in the process. The Las Vegas Review-Journal and The Independent reported the hospital’s response.
Rank #2
Steven Burris, an attorney for Garbowski, told the Review-Journal: “The ultimate truth of what is alleged will be decided by a judge and jury.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the lawsuit asks a court to decide
Reports say the complaint was filed Sept. 30, 2026, in Clark County District Court and asserts negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The claims are allegations; the reported coverage does not establish the case’s current procedural status or outcome.
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- The reports do not establish whether the alleged error delayed Geoffrey’s SSI benefits.
- They do not establish whether the hospital or a vendor is legally responsible.
- No court finding on the allegations is reported in the available coverage.
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