Howell v. Southern Heritage Insurance

Birdsong, Presiding Judge.

William L. Howell appeals from the grant of summary judgment to Southern Heritage Insurance Company on his claims against Southern Heritage for punitive damages under OCGA § 33-4-6 and attorney fees and expenses of litigation under OCGA § 13-6-11. Howell claims that, in bad faith, Southern Heritage refused his demand for payment of personal injury protection (“PIP”) benefits.

Howell, a truck driver, was injured unloading one of his employer’s trucks. Several months later he filed a claim with Southern Heritage as his PIP insurance carrier. Although Southern Heritage…