Opinion ID: 1924271
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: whether the defendant in fact has a colorable defense to the merits of the claim.

Text: ¶ 10. Dr. Parker argues that a colorable defense exists in this case and that, in light of contested material, a consideration of the case on its merits is required. It was undisputed that Dr. Parker did present a colorable defense, as this was stipulated to before the trial court. Since the plaintiff stipulated that there was a colorable defense, the circuit judge, in his ruling, did not consider the merits or likelihood of success of Dr. Parker's defense. However, in support of his motion to set aside the default judgment, Dr. Parker submitted an affidavit, which he signed on June 6, 2000. In his affidavit, Dr. Parker states that he only recalled prescribing Nubain to Lori on one occasion, in November 1996. He states that notations as to Nubain prescriptions in Lori's file are not in his handwriting. He also stated that, in 1997, he discovered, through his office staff, that Lori was removing pain medication and other controlled substances from his office without his express or implied permission. ¶ 11. Additionally, Dr. Parker submitted medical records with his motion to set aside the default judgment. These records suggest that Lori received Nubain on October 26, 1996; November 4, 1996; November 10, 1996; and various dates in January and February 1997. The records also suggest that Lori had perhaps developed an addiction to the Nubain. ¶ 12. Dr. Parker also submitted an affidavit by Robert Upchurch, a licensed attorney in Tupelo, Mississippi. Upchurch stated that, in his opinion, the Stanfords would be required to produce expert medical testimony before a prima facie claim of medial negligence can be satisfied. However, we conclude that merely stating that the Stanfords would be required to produce expert medical testimony does not create any substantial merit to Dr. Parker's defense. If discovery had ensued, there is no reason to believe that the Stanfords could not have produced the required expert medical testimony. ¶ 13. Although the Stanfords conceded that there was a colorable defense, they did not concede that Dr. Parker's defense would be a winning defense or a defense with any likelihood of success on the merits. On the contrary, the Stanfords argue that Dr. Parker's defense was not credible. They argue that the mere fact that there may be a defense to the claim is not sufficient reason to set it aside. This Court has found that the resolution of a factual issue in favor of one party over another, which would negate liability, is not enough to disturb the trial court's decision in ordering a default judgment. Pointer v. Huffman, 509 So.2d 870, 876 (Miss.1987). ¶ 14. In Guaranty Nat'l Ins. Co. v. Pittman, 501 So.2d 377, 388 (Miss.1987), this Court affirmed a trial court's refusal to set aside a default judgement. The Court found that even though the defendant made a substantial showing at the hearing below that he did in fact have a colorable defense on the merits, the lengthy delay in answering without good excuse and the substantial prejudice to the plaintiff outweighed the defendant's colorable defense. Id. ¶ 15. Additionally, in Griffin this Court recognized that it had previously rejected efforts to avoid a default judgment where the named defendant showed a far greater likelihood of success on the merits. H & W Transfer & Cartage Serv., Inc. v. Griffin, 511 So.2d 895, 899 (Miss.1987). In the case sub judice, the circuit court recognized that even taking into consideration that there is a colorable defense, that in and of itself would not be sufficient for this Court to set aside the default judgment in this case. ¶ 16. The fact that Dr. Parker may have a colorable defense should not, in and of itself, give him an easy way out of the default judgment against him. The Stanfords argue that because Dr. Parker's colorable defense is based primarily on his own affidavit, his defense basically boils down to a mere denial. Nevertheless, the medical records and disputed notations, including Dr. Kerby's concern that the number of refills on her last prescription was erroneous, could be viewed as support for Dr. Parker's defense. This prong weighs in favor of Dr. Parker.