Appeals Court Nixes $58K Default Over Procedural Errors

A California appeals court vacated a summary judgment awarding a workers' compensation carrier nearly $58,000 because a statement of damages was not served before the entry of defaults, and the award exceeded the relief demanded in the complaint. The 4th District Court of Appeal also set aside an order striking the answer to the complaint that the trial court entered as a sanction after counsel for the defendants missed multiple status conferences. The court said it would be meaningless to remand the case for further proceedings after vacating summary judgment without also reinstating the...