Written by Bloom Magazine
Elizabeth Swonger, a CCMSI Workers’ Compensation Claim Manager, has been managing a team of workers’ compensation supervisors, adjusters, and claim associates since January 2023. Her current projects involve motivating her team to be the best they can be. Swonger’s favorite part of her job is mentoring people and watching them grow. While she didn’t plan on working in this field, she fell in love with it and has been in it ever since. Swonger believes that knowing workers' compensation laws and client relations are key skills for her job. One of the most important lessons she has learned is that there are always two sides to every story, but the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
A typical week in Swonger’s job involves answering questions from not only supervisors, but adjusters and clients. It is fast-paced, but she finds that the week goes by quickly.
Over the years, Swonger has noticed many changes in the industry, including the introduction of technology and finding people who think of workers' compensation as a career and not just a paycheck. Swonger’s proudest career accomplishment is being promoted to claims manager, but she is also proud of her children, who are both amazing young adults. Swonger has done some adventurous things in her life, including holding a shark in Mexico. Currently, her children inspire her in life.
The best career advice Swonger has received is to never lie, especially in a deposition. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her best friend and supporting her children with their life goals. Swonger starts her day by jumping right into it once she’s up, and a cup of coffee definitely helps. While she’s always been too scared to try karaoke, Swonger describes herself as empathetic, kind, and compassionate. Her biggest strength is that she never gives up. Swonger notices if they make eye contact when meeting someone for the first time. Her most significant learning experience was stepping into her new role as claims manager.
Swonger tries to find the balance between her work life and home life by logging off and not taking her work home with her. When and where she was happiest in her life growing up in a small town in Connecticut where they had horses, chickens, and geese, and occasionally the neighbor's cow would jump their fence.
If Swonger were stuck on a deserted island, she would take her kids, food, and sunscreen. Swonger believes that in five years, everything in the industry will be done remotely, new laws will be in place, and the people in the industry will look different as people who have been in the industry for years retire and the new people are now experienced adjusters.