Walter A. Ward was a founding Member of the firm in 1984 after 18 months as a contract trial lawyer for the state of Kentucky and 10 years with a prominent Louisville insurance defense firm. He has been devoted to litigation of workers’ compensation claims, representing insurers, self-insured companies, third-party administrators and professional employer organizations. He covers every type of claim including traumatic injury, cumulative trauma, all occupational diseases, toxic exposure, mental health conditions, coverage disputes, subrogation, medical expense issues and bad faith at all stages from trial through Supreme Court appeal.
He is a frequent presenter at attorney seminars sponsored by the University of Kentucky Law School, Kentucky Bar Association and at seminars for employer administrators, human resource experts and safety engineers sponsored by employer organizations, health insurance and insurance carriers. He is also invited to serve as faculty for Administrative Law Judge training sessions and American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians.
Awards and Honors
Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Hall of Fame, 2021
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Rating
The Best Lawyers in America, 1997 – 2023
Best Lawyers in America, Lexington Lawyer of the Year: Workers’ Compensation Law, Employers, 2012 and 2018
Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Workers’ Compensation Defense, 2008 – 2022
Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha honorarium for forensic attainment
Omicron Delta Kappa Society
Peer inclusion in Kentucky’s Best Lawyers published by the Herald Leader and Courier Journal, 2008-2016
Memberships
Kentucky Bar Association
Fayette County Bar Association
Admitted to Practice
Kentucky, 1973
U.S. District Court, Kentucky, 1973
Education
J.D., University of Kentucky, 1973
B.A., History/Political Science, Western Kentucky University, 1970
Community
God’s Pantry, Volunteer
Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer
Parish Attorney, Episcopal Church
Hometown
Representative Cases
Livingood v. Transfreight, 2015
Travelers v. Reker, 2003
Borman v. Interlake, 1981