Back to Claims School
Clay Clark has spent decades in civil litigation learning what happens when timing, strategy, and human behavior intersect. He is a partner with Clark, May, Price, Lawley & Paul, LLC in Birmingham, Alabama, where his practice includes workers’ compensation defense, employment law, industrial accident litigation, retaliatory discharge, discrimination, motor carrier litigation, and general liability matters. Earlier in his career, Clay’s civil practice included jury trials involving motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, product liability, and workers’ compensation. Over time, he found himself increasingly drawn to workers’ compensation because of its pace, complexity, and steady stream of novel issues.
Clay has represented local and national clients throughout his career and is a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. His professional recognition has included Martindale-Hubbell’s AV rating, Best Lawyers in America, Alabama Super Lawyers, and honors from Birmingham-area legal publications. He is also a frequent lecturer on workers’ compensation, employment law, and industrial accident litigation.
At the CLM Claims College School of Workers’ Compensation, Clay brings students a perspective shaped by years of watching claims develop from their earliest stages through litigation and resolution. He believes strong claim handling begins with strategic management and that the earliest decisions often create opportunities to influence what happens later. Speed can be an advantage when professionals understand the objective, recognize the available information, and act with purpose. His teaching challenges students to manage the claim rather than simply respond to it.
What originally drew you to workers’ compensation?
My civil practice in the early years was quite varied.
I handled jury trial work involving motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, motor vehicle product liability, and workers’ compensation. Over time, I gravitated increasingly toward workers’ compensation.
I found the work satisfyingly fast-paced and appreciated how frequently it presented novel issues. The combination kept the practice interesting and made workers’ compensation an area where I wanted to spend more of my time.
What perspective do you bring to the School of Workers’ Compensation?
My experience has confirmed that strategic management of new workers’ compensation claims can significantly influence the eventual result.
The early stages of a claim create opportunities to gather information, understand the issues, establish direction, and determine what needs to happen next.
Speed is usually your friend.
The important part is making sure the action is strategic and connected to the outcome you are trying to achieve.
What is one missed opportunity you regularly observe within workers’ compensation?
Missed opportunities to resolve cases early.
Claims can become increasingly difficult as time passes, positions harden, and additional issues develop. Professionals who identify opportunities for resolution early can sometimes avoid unnecessary cost, delay, and conflict.
Early resolution still requires good information and sound judgment.
The opportunity comes from recognizing when the claim is ready to move.
What has professional experience taught you that a textbook never could?
Understanding personality types can help predict behavior.
Claims involve people making decisions, reacting to information, communicating under pressure, and responding to uncertainty. Understanding how different people tend to approach those situations can help a professional anticipate reactions and communicate more effectively.
Technical knowledge helps explain the claim.
Understanding people can help explain what may happen next.
What do you hope students gain from learning with you at Claims College?
I want students to understand how to be strategic in promoting optimal outcomes.
Good claim management requires professionals to understand where the claim is now, where they want it to go, and what actions are most likely to move it in that direction.
Strategy gives purpose to the decisions made throughout the process which can improve both the outcome and the professional’s experience managing the claim.
Complete this sentence: “Excellent claims professionals understand that…”
This is a process we can manage for the best outcome.
Claims will always contain variables we cannot control. Strategic management helps professionals remain focused on the variables they can influence including gathering the right information, making deliberate decisions, communicating effectively, and maintaining direction throughout the life of the claim.
What advice would you give someone building a career in workers’ compensation?
Maintain strategic management control of your claims.
Doing so gives you a better opportunity to influence outcomes and creates a much more satisfying professional experience.
Know what you are trying to accomplish. Understand what information you need. Pay attention to timing.
Manage the process with purpose.
Ready to Head Back to Claims School?
The strongest claims professionals never stop learning. Join the workers’ compensation community in Baltimore from September 9–11, 2026, for the CLM Claims College and three days of practical education, meaningful discussion, and professional connection. The School of Workers’ Compensation gives students the opportunity to strengthen technical knowledge, sharpen professional judgment, and learn directly from experienced industry leaders. Each class is designed to help professionals return to their organizations with greater confidence and new ideas they can apply to their work. Explore the School of Workers’ Compensation and reserve your seat at Claims College today.
The CLM Claims College School of Workers’ Compensation is powered by Paradigm. WorkersCompensation.com proudly sponsors the School’s study halls.
