Yu v. Liberty Surplus Ins. Corp.

MOORE, ACTING P. J.

*1027Generally, as a fundamental rule, when a civil litigant sues for monetary damages, "the amount demanded must be stated." ( Code Civ. Proc., § 425.10, subd. (a)(2).)1 A demand for "damages according to proof" is insufficient; such a demand does not *104provide adequate notice to sustain a default judgment. (§ 585, subds. (a) & (b).)

Here, Bann-Shiang Liza Yu hired Automatic Teller Modules, Inc. (ATMI), a general contractor, to design and build a hotel. After the hotel opened, Yu filed a complaint against ATMI for construction defects, praying for "not less than $10 million…