Ms. Cottell focuses her practice in the representation of employers, self-insured companies, and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation defense matters.
Jennifer A. Cottell
Jennifer A. Cottell
Shareholder
Workers' Compensation
Phone: 856-914-2087
E-mail: JCottell@capehart.com
Bar Admissions
Education
Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, NY
Juris Doctorate
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Bachelor of Arts
Publications
New Jersey Workers’ Comp Legislative Update, an added feature/special addition to the firm’s New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Blog which provides articles related to proposed and new workers’ compensation bills that may have a significant impact on how we practice in Workers’ Compensation courts. Author, 2022 to present.
Association Memberships
North Jersey Claims Association (February 2020-present)
Classes and Seminars
“The Mechanics of Trying an Occupational Claim – Best Practices,” In-house, June 2025
“The Decline of the New Jersey Premises Rule: Has the Rule Left the Premises for Good?” Millennium Seminars, LLC, December 2024
“Developing Fraud Defenses In New Jersey Workers’ Comp – panel discussion,” Millennium Seminars, LLC, April 2022
“The Impact Of The COVID Essential Employee Law And The Pandemic On Workers’ Comp Now And In The Future,” Millennium Seminars, August 2021
“Panel Discussion: Investigating Pre-Existing Disabilities and Chronic Conditions v. Acute Injuries,” Kirshner Spine Institute, September 2019
“Permanent Total Disability: Law, Practices & methods,” and “Ethics: A Review of New and Old Ethical Issues,” Law Day, Lebanon, May 2019
Representative Legal Matters
Jennifer McCall v. St. Peter’s University Hospital, 2018-11525, Lebanon Workers’ Compensation Court (2025)
- Petitioner (x-ray technician) alleged the weight of her lead vest during procedures over a 13-year period caused her neck and back injuries requiring multiple surgeries. She alleged total disability which, if awarded, would entitle her to nearly $1.5 million dollars. The Court determined that petitioner failed to meet her burden of proof for causation. Thus, the court did not need to address the nature and extent of disability.
Kocanowski v. Township of Bridgewater, 237 N.J. 3 (2019)
- Ms. Cottell argued this case in the New Jersey Supreme Court, having won at the trial and appellate divisions previously. The court ultimately decided that volunteer firefighters were entitled to the maximum temp benefits despite having no lost wages and no paid employment outside the fire department.