Brook Washington: Claims Examiner at Sedgwick

Brook Washington, a 30-year-old mom and Claims Examiner at Sedgwick Claims Management, is a shining example of resilience and determination. Balancing work, personal life, and social commitments, Brook has carved a fulfilling career in workers’ compensation, a field she never initially considered.

Brook’s journey into the industry began unexpectedly. “I started off serving, and one of my regulars mentioned Suncoast Workforce to look for other job opportunities,” she recalls. Through Suncoast, she landed a role as an adjuster trainee and team assistant. “The company paid for my license, and the rest is history,” she adds.

What motivates Brook to show up every day? “Besides paying my bills—LOL—I love the challenge that comes with handling multiple jurisdictions. Each state has different laws and claims handling practices, so it keeps the brain juices flowing. I never get bored doing the same task over and over,” she explains.

Brook thrives on the variety her work offers. Mondays and Fridays tend to be her busiest days, with claims pouring in over the weekend and clients eager to wrap things up before the next one. “Usually, I have claim review reports to turn in. It’s always something new,” she says.

Her favorite part of the job is the investigative aspect. “People get injured in so many ways, and the accident descriptions can be crazy at times. I do not get bored,” she shares with a laugh.

Networking is another area where Brook excels. “I go to events to meet new people and add them on social media or get their cards,” she notes. While she doesn’t have a specific mentor, Brook believes in the power of mutual support. “I think it’s very important to support each other. If we don’t, who else will? Man or woman, we should all support each other and celebrate each other’s success.”

For Brook, balancing work and home life as a fully remote worker comes down to discipline. “I set alarms to stop working. It can be difficult knowing when to stop, but I remind myself that work will still be there, while time for me and my family cannot be made up,” she explains. Her kids are her greatest joy and the reason behind her biggest smiles.

Brook is proud of the leap she took from the fast-paced life of serving and bartending to the stability of an office job. “I haven’t regretted my choice since. I love having holidays off and not being called in on my day off. The stability of my income has been life-changing,” she reflects.

When it comes to the workers’ compensation industry, Brook is passionate about making the rules clearer. “I’d love to see the rules become black and white, with no grey areas or exceptions—consistent across every state,” she says. She also believes claimants’ attorneys should be held to the same accountability standards as claims professionals.

Brook’s adventurous spirit shines through in her personal life as well. At just 16, she spent a summer in Europe, an experience that broadened her horizons. If given the opportunity, she’d love to take her family on an around-the-world tour. “I love learning about different cultures and their history,” she shares.

With hobbies like reading and spending time with friends, Brook values personal growth and aims to be better than she was the year before. Her approach to communication is straightforward yet effective. “I explain things in a way a child would understand without coming off as condescending,” she says.

As someone who values common sense over intelligence, Brook’s honest, no-nonsense, and loyal nature defines her both personally and professionally. Her final thoughts on workers’ compensation? “They need to get rid of the grey areas when it comes to the law. It’s time for consistency and accountability.”

Brook Washington’s story is one of growth, adaptability, and a relentless drive to improve both herself and the industry she’s a part of. Whether she’s solving claims, spending time with her family, or dreaming of her next adventure, Brook embodies resilience and determination.