Pinesett

FACTS

In January 2021, plaintiff filed a complaint for personal injury against defendants and personally served defendants with the complaint and summons, an ADR package, and a statement of damages on Judicial Council form CIV-050. The statement of damages sought $1,400,000 in general damages ($700,000 for pain, suffering, and inconvenience and $700,000 for emotional distress) and $700,000 in special damages ($30,000 in medical expenses to date, $250,000 in future medical damages, $10,000 in loss of earnings to date, $400,000 in loss of future earning capacity, and $10,000 in

2 property damage). Defendants, through counsel, filed an answer in February 2021. The trial court held case management conferences on July 27, 2021, October 18, 2021, January 11, 2022, and February 22, 2022. Defendants did not appear at any of them. At the February 22, 2022 conference, the court set an April 12, 2022 hearing on an order to show cause why defendants should not be sanctioned for their failure to appear. The minute order setting the hearing warned defendants if they did not appear on April 12, 2022, the court would consider striking their answer and entering default. Defendants appeared at…