How can a lawsuit go into default?

[badshotbob]

My buddy is involved in a lawsuit. His attorney has told them that the case will automatically go into default this Friday because the party being sued has not responded to any communication over the past seven months. So now his attorney is telling him this will go before a judge with no option of a jury, and after the attorney's fees, he'll basically walk with zilch rather than a modestly fat settlement he rightfully deserves.

How can this be possible? If this were correct, than it seems to me that no one would get any sizeable settlement if all you had to do was sit and wait and do not responsd.

[North Texan]

From the information given, it sounds as if you are referring to a "default judgment". This is a judgment entered against a defendent for failure to appear or failure to plead or defend against a plaintiff's claims. This means the defendant forfeits his defense and judgment is automatically entered against him for the amount plead.