Appeal from an order of the District Court of Nassau County, First District (Fred J. Hirsh, J.), dated May 4, 2009. The order denied defendant's motion to vacate a default judgment.

ORDERED that the order is reversed, without costs, and defendant's motion to vacate the default judgment is granted.

Plaintiff commenced this action to recover the sum of $6,432.46, representing the balance allegedly due for medical services rendered to defendant's minor daughter, by filing the summons and complaint on September 11, 2007. Service was made on defendant's wife on October 3, 2007. Defendant failed to appear or answer, and a default judgment was entered against him on January 4, 2008. Defendant moved to vacate the default judgment, alleging, among other things, that he had notified plaintiff's attorney that he was not liable for the unpaid medical services because plaintiff had billed the wrong insurance company. Defendant further asserted that, following his communication with plaintiff's attorney, he was under the impression that the problem would be corrected. The District Court denied defendant's motion.

After defendant provided plaintiff's attorney with the correct insurance information, it was not unreasonable for him to believe that the problem would be resolved and that he need not appear in the action. Accordingly, we reverse the order denying defendant's motion to vacate the default judgment and grant the motion.

Tanenbaum, J.P., Molia and LaCava, JJ., concur. [*2]
Decision Date: August 05, 2011