Welch v. Haase

ZINTER, Justice.

[¶ 1.] Larry Welch (Welch), special administrator of the Estate of Caz Welch (decedent), initiated wrongful death and survival actions following Caz’s death in a single car auto accident. The actions were brought against the driver of the vehicle (Darby Klein), the driver’s mother (Earla Klein), and the two landowners (Allen and Zenda Haase) who hosted a party immediately preceding the accident. Darby and Earla Klein did not retain counsel, did not answer the complaint, and proceeded to trial in default only to “find out how much [they] owe.” Haases defended on a number of…