Jerri Simmons

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