Do grandparents have the right to sue for wrongful death of a grandchild?

In Maryland, grandparents may have the right to sue for wrongful death of a grandchild in certain circumstances. However, grandparents do not have an automatic right to do so. Grandparents must show that the death of their grandchild resulted from the wrongful or negligent act of another party or from a breach of a duty owed to them by the responsible party. In Maryland, the Wrongful Death Statute allows certain people to sue for wrongful death, which can include grandparents. However, the person who brings the suit must show that they were financially dependent on the decedent for support or the decedent was a minor and to recover damages, the person bringing the claim must have suffered a loss due to the death of the decedent. The grandparent must also prove that they were a close relative of the decedent who had a close relationship where the grandparent was involved in their daily life or had an expectation of future support. In some cases, the court may also consider the opinion of an expert witness or a psychologist to determine the relationship between the grandparent and decedent. Ultimately, whether a grandparent can sue for wrongful death of a grandchild in Maryland depends on the particular circumstances. Grandparents should consult a lawyer if they believe that their grandchild’s death was caused by the wrongful or negligent act of another party, as their case may be successful.

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