Opinion ID: 1936351
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Unfair Prejudice to the Plaintiff

Text: The second factor to be considered pursuant to Kirtland, supra, is whether the plaintiffs would be unfairly prejudiced if the default judgment is set aside. As stated in Fries, supra, Such prejudice must be substantial, and mere delay in the recovery on the claim is not sufficient prejudice to justify refusal to set a default judgment aside.... 559 So.2d at 562, citing Kirtland, supra. The plaintiffs have not demonstrated prejudice so great that it could not be remedied by imposing costs on the defendants. The plaintiffs argue only that, based on Rooney's testimony, there is a possibility that if these judgments are set aside then the defendants would counterclaim for money they feel the plaintiffs owe them. However, Rooney stated only that he wanted to settle the dispute and that perhaps Hilton and Dependacare owed him money. He did not say he intended to counterclaim. Moreover, Rooney's testimony creating the fear of a counterclaim lends support to the fact that the defendants have a meritorious defense.