How did a Chicago area man react when he lost his wife in a tragic auto accident? He sued his 13-year-old grandson for the wrongful death of his wife (who was also the boy’s grandmother).

Yes, you read that right – the man sued his own grandson.

What Happened?

What led to this lawsuit? Earlier this year, the grandmother asked her grandson to get in her van to shift it into gear for her. As he sat in the vehicle, with the driver’s side door open, the grandmother walked from near the rear of the vehicle toward the open door. Unfortunately, when the young man shifted the van into reverse, his foot was on the gas pedal instead of the brake. The van, with its driver’s door still open, accelerated toward the grandmother, hitting her. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she passed away due to her injuries.

Six months later, the grandfather filed a lawsuit against his grandson, alleging that the grandson caused the grandmother’s death by:

• Being careless and failing to keep the van under control
• Failing to give the grandmother warning
• Failing to yield the right of way

Why Would The Grandfather Sue His Minor Grandson?

To be fair to the grieving husband and grandfather, it is likely that he was told that he will not actually recover any compensation from his grandson. Instead, this lawsuit is possibly a legal maneuver designed to allow the man to access funds from someone’s insurance policy.

What Are The Takeaways From This Strange Case?

No matter the reason for the suit, it highlights the fact that a wide array of legal strategies and tactics can be used in personal injury and wrongful death cases. As such, after an injury or the loss of a loved one, it is vital to talk to an attorney who can provide you with guidance and help you understand exactly what legal options are available to you and your family.

While this hopefully will not mean that you end up suing a 13-year-old for the death of his grandmother, it ensures that you are able to pursue all sources of compensation to pay for your medical expenses and make you as whole as possible.