About

Esmeralda “Esme” Ruiz, hearing representative, has developed a respected reputation in the industry and has built strong relationships with judges, attorneys and other hearing representatives.  These long-term relationships have helped her stay on top of changes and trends in the industry.  Esme brings experience in both liens and case-in-chief files. She is aggressive and firm, but also knows how important it is to make the right decision on a case-by-case basis and determine whether settlement or continued litigation is in the best interest of her client. Having come from in-house counsel and a claims’ environment, Esme knows medical treatment expenses out way any other cost on a claims file and knows the importance of securing the best lien result for a cost-savings to the file.

Outside of the office, Esme is married to her husband Eric. She has two adult children, two adult stepchildren and two grandchildren that she loves as her own. As one of ten siblings, she comes from a large family. She is bilingual and fluent in Spanish.  In her free time, she enjoys traveling to places such as Maui and Palm Springs, and also enjoys frequenting live music events.   

Experience:

Esme brings over 30 years of experience in the California workers’ compensation industry. She began her career in 1990 and worked at applicant’s attorney firm Winters & Banks.  After a short while, she made a move to the defense side.  On the defense side, Esme has worked as a hearing representative for major insurance companies including Liberty Mutual Insurance, Farmers Insurance, and Fortune 500 Company Travelers Insurance.  Through the advances in her career, she has mentored law clerks, worked case-in-chief files, taken depositions of injured workers and owners of medical providers alongside the Special Investigator Unit, as well as taken cases to trial.  In her time in the industry, she has also led lien bulk settlement projects that have saved her clients hundreds of thousands of dollars.