Defaulting Party Can Give Testimony and Present Evidence at Damages Proceeding 

The defendant’s answer in a partition action was struck due to his failure to comply with disclosure requests and court orders.  At the inquest the defendant was allowed to cross-examine plaintiff’s witnesses but was not allowed give testimony or offer proof in mitigation of the alleged damages.  The Second Department wrote:

[A] defendant whose answer is stricken as a result of a default admits all traversable allegations in the complaint, including the basic allegation of liability, but does not admit the plaintiff’s conclusion as to damages'” … . Indeed, where an entry of a default judgment against a defendant is made after an application to the court, the defendant is entitled to a ” full opportunity to cross-examine witnesses, give testimony and offer proof in mitigation of damages'” … .  Rawlings v Gillert, 2013 NY Slip Op 02063, 2011-11951, Index No 7570/08, 2nd Dept 3-27-13