Schulte v. Venture Stores, Inc.

CRIST, Judge.

Plaintiff was injured when he fell off Defendant’s ladder while installing telephone cables at one of Defendant’s stores. Defendant failed to appear for trial on a day set by the trial court in accordance with its normal trial procedures. A hearing was held in the absence of Defendant and its lawyer, and a judgment in the sum of $50,000 was entered against Defendant. Defendant appeals from the judgment and the denial of its motion to set aside the judgment and for new trial. We reverse and remand.

A chronology of events leading up to the entry of the judgment may be helpful:

8-8-89…