Court Opinion

ID: 9638024
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 15:30:27.235579+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:02.783769
License: Public Domain

CONCURRING AND DISSENTING OPINION BY
Mr. JUSTICE Roberts:
I agree that, on this record, the default judgment entered for want of appearance after proper service of process is valid and should not be disturbed. I am unable, however, to agree that the trial to assess damages, in the absence of notice to defendant, attained the same status of validity. It is a record fact that no notice whatsoever of the hearing to assess damages *293was given the defendant. We have long passed the stage in our jurisprudence when such hearings may be held without even a pretense of notice to the adverse party.
For defendant’s failure to enter an appearance, he has already suffered the sanction of having a summary judgment entered against him. His inaction in this aspect of the litigation does not constitute a forfeiture of his rights in proceedings subsequent to the entry of that judgment. One such very essential right is his entitlement to notice of the trial at which time damages against him are to be judicially determined.
Surely, the assessment of damages in court is a distinct proceeding from the summary, ex parte direction to the prothonotary to enter a default judgment. Historically, the fixing of damages in the trial court is governed by the usual protections and rights customarily accorded a litigant. He is entitled to his day in court. However, when no effort is made to notify the defendant when the court will hear the case against him, the date of his opportunity to have that day in court becomes a secret, known only to the moving party but not disclosed to the defendant. This, of course, constitutes a complete denial of his right to trial on the issue of damages. An award so obtained is utterly without legal meaning and should not be permitted to stand.
I would, therefore, set aside the award of damages and remand the record to the trial court for the purpose of assessing damages upon proper notice to the defendant.