University of Maryland Medical System Corp. v. Muti

Presented here are claims asserted under the Wrongful Death Statute, Maryland Code (1974, 2006 RepLVol.), §§ 3-901 through 3-904 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article (CJ). The plaintiffs are the widow of the decedent and the adult children of her marriage with the decedent. They did not identify in their complaint, or notify, a stepson whom the decedent had adopted during a prior marriage. Well over three years have elapsed since the decedent’s death, without the adopted son’s joining, or seeking to join in, the action.

The decedent, Elliott Muti (Elliott), died on March 4, 2005. His…