Simke, Chodos, Silberfeld & Anteau, Inc. v. Athans

Opinion

MALLANO, P. J.

In the event of a default, the “relief’ granted to the plaintiff may not exceed the dollar amount demanded in the complaint or, in cases of personal injury or wrongful death, the dollar amount set forth in a statement of damages. (Code Civ. Proc., §§580, 425.11.) This rule applies not only to routine defaults, where the defendant fails to file an answer, but also to defaults entered as a sanction for misusing the discovery process, (Greenup v. Rodman (1986) 42 Cal.3d 822, 827-829 [231 Cal.Rptr. 220, 726 P.2d 1295] (Greenup).) The question presented here is whether a…