Calif. Appeal Court Vacates $236,500 Default Judgment

SAN FRANCISCO - A California appellate court has vacated a $236,500 default judgment awarded to a mechanic who sued a manufacturer for exposure to its brake-cleaning product, saying the trial court abused its discretion in making the award. Fasuyi v. Permatex Inc., No. A117760 (Calif. Ct. App., 1st Dist.).

California's First Appellate District said in a published opinion on Oct. 15 that not only was the award an abuse of discretion on the part of the Alameda County Superior Court, but that it prejudiced the manufacturer, Permatex Inc., which should be allowed to mount a defense.

Omotayo Fasuyi sued Permatex …