PHC, Inc. v. North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance

HORTON, Judge.

Defendant North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance Company (“Insurance Company”) contends the trial court erred in (I) awarding attorneys’ fees to plaintiff, PHC, Inc., and (II) awarding prejudgment interest on the umpire’s award.

I

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 6-21.1 (1997) permits the trial court, in its discretion, to allow reasonable attorneys’ fees to a litigant who (1) obtains a judgment for recovery of damages; (2) in the amount of $10,000 or less; (3) against an insurance company; (4) in a property damage suit; (5) where the insured is the plaintiff; (6) upon a finding by the court that…