(a) If a party fails to attend or participate in a pre-hearing conference, hearing or other stage of a contested case, the administrative hearing officer may hold the party in default and either adjourn the proceedings or conduct them without the participation of that party, having due regard for the interest of justice and the orderly and prompt conduct of the proceedings.
(b) If the proceedings are conducted without the participation of the party in default, the administrative hearing officer shall include in the final order a written notice of default and a written statement of the grounds for the default.