Governor Sherrill's pick for Labor Commissioner signals stronger protections for injured workers.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced on January 30, 2026, the nomination of Kevin Jarvis to serve as the next Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. For workers' compensation practitioners and injured workers across the state, this nomination carries significant implications.
A Commissioner Who Knows the System
Jarvis brings a unique perspective rarely seen at the Commissioner level. His professional background includes direct experience representing injured workers, specifically those in the building trades who suffered workplace injuries from asbestos exposure. He also represented railroad workers harmed by exposure to diesel exhaust fumes and other carcinogens before numerous state courts.
This firsthand experience with occupational injury litigation demonstrates that the incoming Commissioner understands the challenges injured workers face when navigating the workers' compensation system—from filing claims to securing adequate medical treatment and benefits.
Inside Knowledge of Labor Department Operations
Perhaps equally important for workers' compensation stakeholders is Jarvis's prior tenure as Chief of Staff at the very department he will now lead. During his nearly four years in that role, he oversaw critical divisions including Labor Standards and Safety Enforcement, Legal and Regulatory Affairs, and Administration. The Division of Workers' Compensation falls under this department's umbrella, meaning Jarvis already has institutional knowledge of how claims are processed and disputes are resolved.
What This Could Mean for Workers' Compensation Claims
Governor Sherrill outlined several priorities for the new Commissioner, including improving government service efficiency and expanding worker protections. For those involved in workers' compensation claims, this could translate to:
Streamlined claims processing. With the administration's focus on improving government efficiency, injured workers may see faster adjudication of disputed claims and reduced administrative backlogs.
Stronger enforcement against uninsured employers. Jarvis's background in labor standards enforcement suggests a potential focus on identifying and penalizing employers who fail to maintain required workers' compensation coverage.
Enhanced vocational rehabilitation resources. The Governor specifically highlighted increasing career opportunities for individuals with disabilities—a commitment that aligns with the vocational rehabilitation services available through workers' compensation.
The Bottom Line
Kevin Jarvis's nomination represents a notable shift toward worker-centered leadership at the Department of Labor. His experience litigating workplace injury claims, combined with his administrative knowledge of department operations, positions him to make substantive changes to how New Jersey handles workers' compensation matters.
The nomination now awaits Senate confirmation. Workers' compensation attorneys, employers, insurers, and injured workers should monitor how this leadership change shapes policy and enforcement priorities in the months ahead.
*Jon L. Gelman of Wayne, NJ, is the author of NJ Workers' Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters) and co-author of the national treatise Modern Workers' Compensation Law (West-Thomson-Reuters).
Blog: Workers' Compensation
LinkedIn: JonGelman
LinkedIn Group: Injured Workers Law & Advocacy Group
Author: "Workers' Compensation Law" West-Thomson-Reuters
Mastodon:@gelman@mstdn.social
Blue Sky: jongelman@bsky.social
Substack: https://jongelman.substack.com/
© 2026 Jon L Gelman. All rights reserved.
Attorney Advertising
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
No comments:
Post a Comment