J. Benson Ward

Benson Ward practices insurance defense litigation, with a focus on workers' compensation and major insurance matters including bad faith, insurance coverage, and arson & fraud investigations throughout the southeast.

Benson represents insurers, third party administrators, self-insureds, and employers, and defends insurance companies in State and Federal Courts. He has particular experience with self-insured businesses, the poultry industry, manufacturing companies, and the food & beverage industry.

He works with insurance companies and carriers in the evaluation and the investigation of all nature of insurance claims, and counsels clients regarding work-related injuries and potential claims. His practice includes conducting examinations under oath, taking and defending depositions including those of expert witnesses, trying cases, and arguing appeals. Appellate matters of note include prevailing with Mike Bagley and John Blackmon before the Supreme Court of Georgia in the case of MARTA v. Reid, and preparing an Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court of Georgia, along with two colleagues from the firm, on behalf of the Georgia Self-Insurer's Association, Georgia Manufacturer's Association, and the Georgia Poultry Federation in the case of McRae v. Arby's.

Benson is a frequent speaker for client seminars and presentations, and since 2009 has co-authored the Mercer Law Review's annual survey of Georgia Workers' Compensation law. He is a co-author, along with Mike Bagley and John Ferguson, of the 9th, 10th, and 11th Editions of the GWCA's Workers' Compensation Desk Manual. From 2011-2015, Benson was named a Georgia Rising Star by Super Lawyers, and in 2020 and 2021 Benson was selected to Georgia Super Lawyers. He is also an AV Preeminent rated lawyer by Martindale Hubbell.

Benson is involved with the Georgia Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and was a member of the MS Leadership Class of 2013.