Senior Claims Specialist with 20+ Years Experience

JOSEPH A. WALKER, CWCP

Tyrone, GA ***** ******@*********.*** 201-***-**** https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-walker-74a92999/ SENIOR CLAIMS SPECIALIST

Trusted insurance specialist with over 20 years of broad expertise collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to manage diverse claims of varying severity and complexity. Analytical problem-solver recognized for successfully negotiating multimillion- dollar settlements under pressure. Proactive leader and adaptable team player with vital communication and organizational skills. CORE COMPETENCIES

Catastrophic Complex High-Dollar Claims Handling Settlement Negotiations Regulatory Compliance Loss Evaluation Workers’ Compensation Reserving Customer Service Injury Review Upper Management Exposure Documents Subrogation Analysis Compensability Investigative & Medical Assessment Risk Analysis Mediation & Arbitration Counsel & Litigation Management Medicare Set-Aside Arrangement (MSA) Mandatory Insurer Reporting (MIR) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Technical Specialist, AIG 2008 – 2024

Oversaw complex and catastrophic workers’ compensation claims, specializing in Massachusetts, Georgia, Alabama, and New Jersey. Verified coverage, investigated assigned claims, and evaluated claim exposure to establish reserves. Developed resolution strategy plans for appropriate claim results and timely closures. Directed negotiations to achieve settlement by effectively interacting with insureds, claimants, and attorneys. Controlled medical treatment, coordinating independent medical evaluations as needed. Established compensability, managing indemnity as well as medical and legal aspects of assigned claims.

Served in medical case unit (MCU), handling millions of high-dollar exposure workers’ compensation claims. Managed counsel and resolved settlements and medical management litigated and non-litigated claims.

Enabled successful international subrogation recovery after identifying employer’s separate international policy that covered accident. Pursued other insurance company in court and received full reimbursements for expenditures.

Resolved initial liability exposure of limited $1M policy with settlement of indemnity exposure. Managed catastrophic complex claim of trucking accident where employee sustained substantial crushing injury resulting in permanent paraplegia.

Reassigned series of 30-year-old excess policy claims from their primary company to excess policy insurer for treatment and resolution management for remaining handling of lifetime medical exposure. Claim Specialist / Senior Claims Representative / Claims Representative, STATE FARM INSURANCE Prior to 2008 Analyzed first report to determine value of loss in workers’ compensation claims, pursing liens and subrogation when appropriate as initial contact in charge of effective investigating, reserving, and determining benefits. Trained other claims professionals on policy, compliance, and reserving for full life of claim. Developed and enhanced existing criteria to make handling process more productive, including interviews and investigations that determine credibility. Maintained compliance with claims practice rules and internal procedures as well as workers’ compensation procedure and requirements established by regulatory authorities.

Handled complex issues and high-loss exposure with subrogation potential and negotiated structured settlements up to $2M.

Appointed as office manager to supervise up to 30 administrative staff during aftermath of Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina.

Advised defense counsels with regard to strategies and objectives for defending litigated suits, preparing written documentation for settlement authority on litigation cases in excess of $250K.

Worked on $1.3M in department store fire claim, managing salvors to evaluate contents and recouping any subrogation exposure. Determined if there was negligence and evaluated bodily injury and liability exposures to resolve those claims.

Named SME in policy analysis and interpretation, including evaluating, preparing, negotiating, and presenting quarterly settlement mediations and binding high/low arbitrations. Managed vendors and controlled their expenses.

Managed property and casualty (P&C) claims, including theft investigations and fire damage exposure. Wrote and resolved building estimates in collaboration with homeowners, counsel, and public adjusters. EDUCATION & CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing, Nichols College