Jerri J. Simmons is a Partner in the Charlotte Office of Cranfill Sumner, where she has been practicing defense litigation since joining the firm in 2010. She is a sound strategic partner and passionate advocate for her clients. She is a problem solver and enjoys working closely with her clients to develop defense strategies for favorable claim resolutions.
Jerri has experience handling claims in all areas of workers’ compensation. Specifically, she has handled all types of injury by accident and specific traumatic incident claims. She has handled death claims as well. Jerri has significant experience handling occupational disease claims, such as claims involving asbestosis, mesothelioma, silicosis, chemical exposures, etc... Ultimately, she enjoys handling all types of workers’ compensation cases. Interestingly enough, she has become well-versed in handling lightning strike and electrical injury claims, too.
Over the years, Jerri has worked with her clients to achieve results at mediations and in litigation before the N.C. Industrial Commission and the N.C. Court of Appeals. Jerri is also a Certified Mediator with the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission. When Jerri is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family. She has four children that keep her and her husband on their toes. She also enjoys traveling.
Articles, Presentations, and Publications
•2025 - Workers’ Compensation Institute Conference, Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute, Panel Speaker, “WCDI Multistate Day Claims Roundup”
•2024 - North Carolina Annual Workers’ Compensation Conference, Speaker, “Working Out Ethical Issues in Workers’ Compensation”
•2024 - Workers’ Compensation Institute Conference, Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute, Panel Speaker, “Mission to M.A.R.S.” in Orlando, FL
•2022 - Workers’ Compensation Insitute Conference, Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute, Panel Speaker, “CSI: Orlando Special Claims Investigation” in Orlando, FL
•2021 - Workers’ Compensation Institute Conference, Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute Multi-State Breakout Day, Panel Speaker in Orlando FL
•2021 - 26th Annual NC Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference, Panel Speaker, “Treating the Workers’ Compensation Patient and Maximizing Return-To-Work Potential”
•2021 - “Asbestos Claims: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” - Webinar
•2021 - Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute, “Deep Dive: A State-by-State Exploration of Top Tips for Defending COVID-19 Claims, Investigating Remote Injuries and Moving Claims Forward in Today’s Remote World” - Webinar
•2021 - “How to Handle Asbestos Claims” - Webinar
•2020 - “Diggin’ In To Disability” - Webinar
•2020 - Workers’ Compensation Section Annual Meeting, Panel Speaker, “Six Months In . . . Forecasting the Future of N.C.G.S. Section 97-29(c),”
•2019 - “2019 Flood Case Law Update” - Webinar
•2019 - “2019 Case Law Update: Examination of Recent WC Cases, Rules, and Procedures” - Webinar
•“Navigating Attendant Care Issues, ” Course & Scope - Workers’ Compensation Section of the NC Bar Association, April 2014
Accomplishments
•Cranfill Sumner LLP's Distinguished Leader in Diversity and Inclusion Award Recipient, 2023
•Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
•Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers (2024 - 2026)
•Selected for inclusion in North Carolina Rising Stars in the field of Workers' Compensation (2021-2025)
•Valedictorian, Garinger High School, class of 2003
Most Recent Posts
Result
Jerri Simmons Secures Dismissal for Insurance Carrier Client in Wood Dust Occupational Disease Claim
Jerri Simmons, a partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP, recently achieved a favorable result for an insurance carrier client (“client”) in...
Result
Jerri Simmons Secures Ghost Policy Coverage Denial
Jerri Simmons, a partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP, recently secured a favorable outcome for an insurance carrier client in a...
News
33 CSH Law Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2026
Thirty-three attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2026....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Participate in WCI 2025
Members of the Cranfill Sumner LLP team participated in various events during the WCI 2025 Conference in Orlando, Fl. from Aug. 17-20....
News
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Present at NCASI Conference
Jerri Simmons and Nick Valaoras presented a Case Law Update at the North Carolina Association of Self-Insurer’s (NCASI) 2025 Annual Conference in Wrightsville Beach on March 26. ...
News
21 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2025 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 21 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2025 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
News
Jerri Simmons Serves on Panel at State Workers’ Compensation Conference
Jerri Simmons spoke at the recent 29th Annual North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Conference which was held Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2024 at the Raleigh Convention Center. The conference was organized by the North Carolina Industrial Commission....
News
CSH Law Attorneys Participate in WCI 2024 Conference
Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys participated in various events throughout the 78th Annual Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference & 35th Safety & Health Conference which was held Aug. 18-21 in Orlando, FL....
News
32 CSH Law Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2025
Thirty-two attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2025....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Participate in Statewide Service Day
Members of the Cranfill Sumner LLP offices participated in the North Carolina Bar Foundation’s 4ALL - Lawyers on Call event on Friday, March 1. ...
News
13 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2024 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 13 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2024 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2024 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
News
Cranfill Sumner Staff Honored as 2023 “Unsung Legal Heroes”
Dora Kripapuri and Heather Diaz, members of the Cranfill Sumner LLP staff, have been recognized as 2023 Unsung Legal Heroes by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly (pages 18-19) . This award recognizes the staff members of law firms statewide who show dedication to their careers....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Presents Diversity Award to Jerri Simmons
Cranfill Sumner LLP presented its 2023 Distinguished Leader in Diversity and Inclusion Award to Jerri Simmons....
Result
Jerri Simmons Obtains Favorable Verdict for Employer Client from NCIC
Jerri Simmons, a partner in Cranfill Sumner’s Risk Management & Workers’ Compensation group, recently obtained a favorable verdict for an...
News
32 CSH Law Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2024
Thirty-two attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2024....
Result
Jerri Simmons Obtains Favorable Verdict from NCIC
Jerri Simmons, a partner in Cranfill Sumner’s Risk Management & Workers’ Compensation group, recently obtained a favorable verdict for an...
News
13 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2023 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 13 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2023 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2023 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
News
CSH Law Attorneys Lead WCDI Breakout Sessions
Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys attended and participated in the recent Multi-State Breakout Sessions for the Workers’ Compensation Defense Institute during the 2022 WCI Annual Conference. The theme for the breakout sessions was “CSI: Orlando Special Claims Investigation” and focused on navigating a workers’ compensation injury investigation. ...
News
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Participate in 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Members of the Cranfill Sumner LLP offices participated in the North Carolina Bar Foundation’s 15th Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 4. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event was held virtually this year....
News
11 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2022 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 11 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2022 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2022 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
News
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Lead WCDI Breakout Sessions for NC
Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys Jennifer Morris Jones, Matt Covington, Jerri Simmons and David Rhoades represented the state of North Carolina during the Dec. 15 WCDI Multi-State Breakout at the WCI 2021 Conference....
News
Jerri Simmons Speaks at NCIC Workers’ Compensation Conference
On Oct. 6, Jerri Simmons participated in a panel discussion at the 26th Annual NC Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference from the North Carolina Industrial Commission. The conference was held virtually Oct. 5-8....
News
14 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2021 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Today Cranfill Sumner proudly announced that 14 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2021 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2021 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
News
Jerri Simmons Participates in Panel Discussion for NC Industrial Commission
On Oct. 2, Jerri Simmons participated in a CLE panel discussion entitled “Alternative Modalities for Medical Treatment Following the Opioid Crisis in Workers’ Compensation Claims.”...
News
Jerri Simmons Elected to NCADA Board of Directors
Jerri Simmons was recently elected to serve on the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA) Board of Directors. Jerri was sworn in during the NCADA Annual Meeting which was held June 13-16 in Asheville....
News
Jerri Simmons to Chair NCADA Workers’ Compensation Section
Jerri Simmons, a partner in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently appointed to serve as Workers’ Compensation Section Chair of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Names Two New Partners
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Jerri Simmons and Russ Racine have been named partners in the firm. Both attorneys are based in the firm’s Charlotte office....
News
Jerri Simmons Receives Mediator Certification by the NC Dispute Resolution Commission
Jerri Simmons, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner), recently completed training for Mediator Certification and is now classified as a Certified Mediator with the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission....
News
Jerri Simmons To Serve as Vice Chair of NCADA Committee
Jerri Simmons, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently elected Vice Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Committee for the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA). Jerri’s one-year term began in June 2017....
News
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Receive AV Rating From Martindale-Hubbell
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that 11 attorneys have recently received an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell....
Result
Simmons Obtains Favorable Opinion from NCIC
Jerri Simmons (Charlotte) obtained a favorable opinion from the North Carolina Industrial Commission in a case involving an employee who...
Result
Coming and Going Rule Does Not Apply
Jerri Simmons and Andy Avram were successful before the NC Industrial Commission....
News
Jerri Simmons Featured in April NCBA Workers’ Compensation Newsletter
Jerry Simmons, an attorney from Cranfill Sumner, featured in edition of Course & Scope, the Workers’ Compensation Newsletter from the North Carolina Bar Association....
