Early Claims Resolution: Important Considerations for Claims, Insureds, and Counsel

Objective of the session is to identify and discuss the considerations weighing on claims professionals, employers and their counsel when attempting to efficiently resolve workers compensation claims.  

Part I:  How fast is too fast?  How do attorneys and front-line adjusters balance their desire to "be right" in their claims decisions against a carrier's need to control costs?  What considerations are most important to insureds when resolving claims?

Part II: What strategies/tips best help claims, insureds and counsel efficiently resolve claims?  The panel will discuss early evaluation of claims within the initial report of counsel, proper early reserving of files, early contact with the insured and use of medical management and investigation to leverage claim settlement.  

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Speakers:

Melissa Blatt

AVP Claim Litigation, Encova Insurance

Melissa Blatt is assistant vice president of claims litigation at Encova Insurance. She provides legal support to the workers’ compensation business teams for both claim and policy matters, covering 28 states and Washington, D.C. She is also responsible for assisting with subrogation matters, handling coordination of benefit and conditional payment matters involving the federal government and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, assisting with medical payment disputes and overseeing third party litigation.

Melissa has more than 25 years of experience in workers’ compensation insurance. She began her legal career with the West Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission and transitioned to BrickStreet Insurance in 2006. Melissa received a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Marshall University and a law degree from Capital University.

Kenneth Bunn

Vice President, Head of Claims, Builders Mutual Insurance Company

Ken is currently the Vice President of Claims at Builders Mutual Insurance Company headquartered in Raleigh, NC. He has been in the insurance industry since 1990, cultivating his career through various roles in Claims, Program Management/IT and Corporate Training. While most of his career has been focused around claims handling and claims leadership, Ken also has a long record of successfully leading large corporate initiatives, system implementations and various training programs. In his current position, Ken oversees all claims functions including Workers Compensation, Commercial and Litigated claims. After joining BMIC in 2014, Ken launched the transition from a Third Party Administrator based model to an in‐house claims department. This included complete organizational and process redesign, during a time of double digit growth for the company.

Ken holds a BA from North Carolina State University, in addition to earning his AIC, CBIA, and PMP designations, and is also an active member of DRI and CLM.

RJ Williams

Attorney, McAngus Goudelock & Courie, LLC (MGC)

RJ Williams’ practice focuses on workers’ compensation defense. In September 2019, RJ opened the firm’s Richmond, Virginia office, after spending nine years practicing in the firm’s Charlotte, North Carolina office. RJ has litigated cases at all levels of the Virginia and North Carolina Workers Compensation Commissions, Court of Appeals and North Carolina Supreme Court. He takes pride in providing clients with knowledgeable and accurate analysis of their legal defense, risk and exposure. He previously practiced insurance defense and civil litigation in Michigan.

Outside of the office, RJ spends time with his wife and two children. He enjoys participating in recreational sports and following the Michigan Wolverines.

Cade Williams

Assistant Vice President, Risk Management-Claims, Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation

Cade Williams is a risk management professional with extensive experience in the insurance industry. After graduating from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in finance and an insurance specialization, Cade began his career as an independent adjuster/investigator and gained valuable experience in the field.

He later transitioned to Marriott International, where he worked in various roles within a self-insured and self-administered claims environment. During his time at Marriott International, Cade gained expertise in claims management, risk assessment, and leading a multi-generational team.

Currently, Cade serves as the Assistant Vice President of Risk Management at Marriott Vacations Worldwide, where he leads a team responsible for the management and oversight of all domestic and international insurance claims, including but not limited to: Workers Compensation, Fidelity, Employment Practices Liability, General Liability, Auto Liability, and Property.

Throughout his career, Cade has demonstrated a strong commitment to his work, and his expertise has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. He is widely respected in his field and is known for his strategic thinking, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills. Cade is also a strong advocate for tort reform and the pursuit of fair and reasonable limits on damages in civil lawsuits.