A New York hospital could face a malpractice suit after it allegedly confused a living patient with a dead one.

In a press release issued Thursday, personal injury lawyer David Perecman said the 93-year-old woman went to Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center because she was having trouble breathing.

Her relatives called to ask how she was doing, but a hospital employee surprised them by saying she had died, he said.

The family discovered the mistake when they arrived at the hospital to make funeral arrangements.

The woman's great-granddaughter went to touch the "dead" woman and was shocked when her great-grandmother moved, the lawyer claims.

Perecman said although it's a case of mistaken identity, the family was traumatized and is considering suing.

Calls to the hospital for comment weren't immediately returned.