Case ID: so2d_515/html/0418-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

AVIS RENT-A-CAR SYSTEMS, INC., Appellant, v. Johnny HERCULES, Appellee.
    No. 87-1848.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District.
    Nov. 17, 1987.
    Highsmith, Strauss & Glatzer and Phillip Glatzer, for appellant.
    Schwartz & Steinhardt and Theodore R. Dempster, for appellee.
    Before NESBITT, DANIEL S. PEARSON and JORGENSON, JJ.
   PER CURIAM.

We reverse the order denying the defendant’s motion to vacate the default judgment because we find that the defendant satisfied the two-prong test for vacating a default judgment which requires a showing of excusable neglect and a meritorious defense. See Gibraltar Serv. Carp, v. Lone & Assocs., Inc., 488 So.2d 582 (Fla. 4th DCA 1986). The trial court found that the defendant demonstrated excusable neglect in failing to timely file a response to the complaint. We find that the motion to vacate the default judgment, which tendered an answer containing a general denial of negligence, was sufficient to establish a meritorious defense. North Shore Hosp., Inc. v. Barber, 143 So.2d 849 (Fla. 1962); Pedro Realty, Inc. v. Silva, 399 So.2d 367 (Fla. 3d DCA 1981); Bay Convalescent Center, Inc. v. Carroll, 352 So.2d 900, 904 (Fla. 1st DCA 1977) (Ervin, J. dissenting), cert. dismissed, 364 So.2d 881 (Fla.1978).

Accordingly, the order is reversed and remanded.