Voyager Casualty Insurance v. Colwell

Carley, Judge.

Appellee-plaintiff instituted suit against appellant-defendant, originally seeking to recover $5,000 in basic PIP benefits and, pursuant to OCGA § 33-34-6 (Code Ann. § 56-3406b), 25% penalty, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. Appellee subsequently amended her complaint to seek an additional $45,000 in optional PIP benefits. See Jones v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 156 Ga. App. 230 (274 SE2d 623) (1980). The case proceeded to trial and, at the close of the evidence, the trial court directed a verdict for appellee as to her entire PIP claim. The issue of appellant’s…