The chief judge of the Middle District of Pennsylvania has set aside a default judgment that had been entered against MetLife, but also imposed sanctions on the insurance company and admonished it for its delinquency in handling the case.

MetLife failed to respond for nearly a full year after Elizabeth Davis filed a suit against it over coverage for her long-term disability benefits, according to the opinion from U.S. District Chief Judge Christopher C. Conner of the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Between November 2013 and September 2014, Davis served at least 17 notices of filings with the company, according to the opinion.

MetLife responded for the first time shortly before the deadline was set for it to show cause as to why the court shouldn't grant default judgment, according to the opinion.