Opinion ID: 1924271
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the nature and extent of prejudice which may be suffered bythe plaintiff if the default is set aside.

Text: ¶ 17. The Stanfords contend that a delay as long as the one in this case is ipso facto prejudicial to them. To support this contention, the Stanfords argue that in Pittman this Court stated that the key inquiry in determining whether a plaintiff has suffered prejudice by the setting aside of the default judgment is the passage of time. Pittman, 501 So.2d at 388. ¶ 18. Dr. Parker distinguishes Pittman by asserting that, in Pittman, postponement of a trial for a year in the case of a motor vehicle accident, which turned on the fading memories of a split second event, substantially prejudiced the party seeking default. Id. at 388. Dr. Parker argues that the facts surrounding the instant medical negligence claim would not be subject to loss of memory because the incidents between Dr. Parker and Lori occurred over the course of Lori's employment with Dr. Parker. ¶ 19. The Court in Pittman noted that the duty to answer should be taken seriously. The Court stated that [i]t may be that people will miss fewer trains if they know the engineer will leave without them rather than delay even a few seconds. Id. According to the Stanfords, the delay in answering the complaint in this case is longer than in any other case that has come before this Court. Due to the financial and emotional distress suffered by the Stanfords, as well as the great length of time that passed before Dr. Parker answered the complaint, it is the opinion of this Court that the Stanfords suffered substantial prejudice.