Question 1

Which employers must have workers' comp in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Any private employer with one or more employees in the District must carry workers' compensation insurance or be approved to self-insure. Homeowners must cover domestic workers if they employed one or more household domestic workers for 240 hours or more in any calendar quarter of the current or previous year. Not covered by this law: federal and D.C. government employees (who have separate programs), railroad workers in interstate commerce, congressional office staff, casual workers outside the employer's usual business, and certain commission-only real estate agents.

Question 2

How long do you have to report a work injury in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Written notice of the injury must be given to both the employer and the Office of Workers' Compensation within 30 days after the injury, or within 30 days after the worker knew or should have known the injury was work-related, using DCWC Form 7 (Employee's Notice of Accidental Injury or Occupational Disease). Late notice may be excused if the employer or insurer knew of the injury and was not harmed, or for another satisfactory reason.

Question 3

What is the deadline to file a workers' comp claim in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

A written claim (DCWC Form 7a, Employee's Claim Application) must be filed with the Office of Workers' Compensation within one year after the injury or death, or within one year after the last payment if benefits were paid without an award. The year does not start until the worker knew or should have known the injury was work-related. A late claim is barred only if the employer objects at the first hearing.

Question 4

Is there a waiting period for workers' comp in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

No wage benefits are paid for the first three days of disability (medical benefits are paid). If the disability lasts more than 14 days, benefits are paid from the first day of disability.

Question 5

How much does workers' comp pay in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Temporary total disability pays 66 2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage while the disability lasts, subject to the weekly maximum and minimum. The minimum for total disability or death is 25% of the maximum.

Question 6

What is the maximum workers' comp benefit in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

For 2026 (effective January 1, 2026), the maximum weekly compensation rate is $1,852.07 and the minimum is $463.02. For 2025 the maximum was $1,808.66 and the minimum $452.17. The maximum equals the average weekly wage of insured employees in the District and is reset each January 1.

Question 7

Can you choose your own doctor for workers' comp in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

The employee has the right to choose the attending physician. If the injury is so serious that the employee cannot choose and needs immediate treatment, the employer selects a physician, and the employee may still choose their own doctor after release. Once a treating physician is chosen, the employee may not change physicians without approval from the employer's insurer or the Office of Workers' Compensation; the Office may also order a change.

Question 8

How does permanent disability work under workers' comp in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Scheduled permanent partial disabilities pay 66 2/3% of the average weekly wage for a set number of weeks, in addition to temporary disability. The statute lists, for example, 312 weeks for an arm, 288 for a leg, 244 for a hand, 205 for a foot and 160 for an eye, but for injuries on or after April 16, 1999 each scheduled period is cut by 25% (rounded up), giving 234 weeks for an arm, 216 for a leg, 183 for a hand, 154 for a foot and 120 for an eye. Other permanent partial disabilities are paid at 66 2/3% of lost wages, based on the difference between pre-injury and post-injury earnings. Partial disability benefits for one injury generally may not exceed 500 weeks, with a possible extension of up to 167 weeks for whole-body impairment over 20%. Permanent total disability pays 66 2/3% of the average weekly wage while it lasts; loss of any two of the hands, arms, feet, legs or eyes is presumed to be permanent total disability.

Question 9

What workers' comp death benefits are available in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Reasonable funeral expenses up to $5,000. A surviving spouse or domestic partner with no children receives 50% of the deceased worker's average wages until remarriage or a new domestic partnership (with two years' benefits paid in a lump sum at that time), plus 16 2/3% for each surviving child. If there is no spouse or partner, children receive 50% for one child plus 16 2/3% for each additional child. Total death benefits may not exceed 66 2/3% of the worker's wages. Dependent grandchildren, siblings, parents and grandparents may receive benefits in some cases.

Question 10

How do you file a workers' comp claim in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

File DCWC Form 7 (Employee's Notice of Accidental Injury or Occupational Disease) with your employer and the Office of Workers' Compensation within 30 days, and DCWC Form 7a (Employee's Claim Application) within one year. The employer must file DCWC Form 8 (Employer's First Report of Injury) within 10 days of learning of the injury. D.C. government employees use a separate program at the D.C. Office of Risk Management.

Question 11

How do you appeal a denied workers' comp claim in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

If a claim is denied or benefits stop, the worker can request an informal conference with an OWC claims examiner (a recommendation is issued within 30 days of the conference) or go directly to a formal hearing by filing an Application for Formal Hearing with the DOES Administrative Hearings Division. A party unhappy with the resulting compensation order may file an application for review with the Compensation Review Board within 30 days of the order; otherwise the order becomes final after 30 days. Board decisions may then be appealed to the D.C. Court of Appeals.

Question 12

Can you be fired for filing workers' comp in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

It is unlawful for an employer to fire or otherwise discriminate against an employee for claiming or trying to claim workers' compensation, or for testifying in a workers' compensation proceeding. An employee who is discriminated against must be restored to the job and paid for lost wages (unless no longer qualified to do the work), and the employer faces a penalty of $100 to $1,000. The employer, not its insurer, is responsible.

Question 13

How long can you receive workers' comp in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Permanent total and temporary total disability benefits are paid for as long as the disability continues, with no fixed week limit. Temporary partial disability benefits cannot be paid for more than 5 years. Permanent partial disability for scheduled body parts is paid for the number of weeks set in the statute's schedule.

Question 14

How do workers' comp settlements work in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Lump-sum settlements agreed to in writing by the parties may be approved by the Mayor (through the Department of Employment Services' workers' compensation program) if the settlement is found to be in the injured worker's best interest. Where both sides are represented by lawyers, the settlement must be approved. An approved settlement is a complete and final disposition of the case, fully discharges the employer's liability, and is treated as a final binding compensation order.

Question 15

How do I file or check a workers' comp claim online in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

In DC, report a job-related injury or illness promptly to your employer and in writing to the DOES Office of Workers' Compensation (OWC) within 30 days of the injury or of becoming aware of it, using Form OWC-7 (Employee's Notice of Injury): keep a copy, give a copy to your employer and send the original to OWC. File Form OWC-7A (Employee's Claim Application) within one year after the injury or death. Both forms can be filed online. The employer files Form OWC-8, Employer's First Report of Injury or Occupational Disease. OWC: 4058 Minnesota Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20019, (202) 671-1000, Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Question 16

How much can a workers' comp lawyer charge in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

In DC workers' comp cases an attorney's fee must be approved by the Mayor (through the Office of Workers' Compensation) or the court, and no fee may be approved above 20% of the actual benefit secured. When the employer or carrier declines to pay within 30 days of notice and the worker later succeeds with an attorney, the approved fee is paid directly by the employer or carrier to the worker's attorney.

Question 17

Can you sue your employer for a work injury in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Suing the employer: in the District, workers' compensation is the employee's exclusive remedy against the employer, its collective-bargaining agent, and its employees, officers, directors, agents and insurer acting within the scope of employment. The exception is an employer that fails to secure payment of compensation: the injured employee (or legal representative) may then choose to claim compensation or sue for damages, and the employer may not plead fellow-servant negligence, assumption of risk or contributory negligence.

Question 18

Can you sue a third party for a work injury in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Suing someone else: a worker injured by a liable third party need not choose between comp and a damages suit. But accepting compensation under an order filed with the Mayor assigns the right to sue to the employer unless the worker sues within six months after the award; if the employer does not sue within 90 days after the assignment, the right goes back to the worker. If the employer recovers, it keeps its expenses, medical costs, comp paid and the present value of future benefits, and pays the rest to the worker less one-fifth. If the worker sues, the employer pays comp minus the third-party recovery, costs and fees are shared in proportion to recovery, and a settlement for less than the comp due requires the employer's and insurer's written approval.

Question 19

What if my employer doesn't have workers' comp insurance in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Employer without coverage: an employer that fails to secure workers' comp faces a civil fine of $1,000 to $10,000, and for a corporation, the president, secretary and treasurer are each liable for the fine and personally liable with the corporation for benefits owed for injuries during the uninsured period. The injured employee may claim compensation or sue the employer for damages without the employer's usual defenses. If an award cannot be collected because of the employer's insolvency or similar circumstances, the Mayor may pay it from the special fund and recover from the employer.

Question 20

How long do you have to appeal a denied workers' comp claim in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

Disputed claims: a claim is filed with the Mayor (the Office of Workers' Compensation); on application of any interested party, a hearing must be ordered within 90 days, and an order rejecting or awarding the claim issues within 20 days after the hearing. A party aggrieved by a compensation order may file an application for review with the Compensation Review Board within 30 days of the order's issuance (the other side may oppose within 15 days); otherwise the order becomes final after 30 days. A final decision may then be reviewed by the D.C. Court of Appeals.

Which employers must carry it	Any private employer with one or more employees in the District must carry workers' compensation insurance or be approved to self-insure. Homeowners must cover domestic workers if they employed one or more household domestic workers for 240 hours or more in any calendar quarter of the current or previous year. Not covered by this law: federal and D.C. government employees (who have separate programs), railroad workers in interstate commerce, congressional office staff, casual workers outside the employer's usual business, and certain commission-only real estate agents. Source: D.C. Code §§ 32-1501(9)–(10), 32-1503; DOES Office of Workers' Compensation FAQs
Deadline to report the injury	Written notice of the injury must be given to both the employer and the Office of Workers' Compensation within 30 days after the injury, or within 30 days after the worker knew or should have known the injury was work-related, using DCWC Form 7 (Employee's Notice of Accidental Injury or Occupational Disease). Late notice may be excused if the employer or insurer knew of the injury and was not harmed, or for another satisfactory reason. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 32-1513; DOES OWC FAQs
Deadline to file a claim	A written claim (DCWC Form 7a, Employee's Claim Application) must be filed with the Office of Workers' Compensation within one year after the injury or death, or within one year after the last payment if benefits were paid without an award. The year does not start until the worker knew or should have known the injury was work-related. A late claim is barred only if the employer objects at the first hearing. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 32-1514; DOES OWC FAQs
Waiting period	No wage benefits are paid for the first three days of disability (medical benefits are paid). If the disability lasts more than 14 days, benefits are paid from the first day of disability. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 32-1505(a)

Weekly benefit rate	Temporary total disability pays 66 2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage while the disability lasts, subject to the weekly maximum and minimum. The minimum for total disability or death is 25% of the maximum. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code §§ 32-1508(2), 32-1505(c)
Maximum weekly benefit	For 2026 (effective January 1, 2026), the maximum weekly compensation rate is $1,852.07 and the minimum is $463.02. For 2025 the maximum was $1,808.66 and the minimum $452.17. The maximum equals the average weekly wage of insured employees in the District and is reset each January 1. Source: D.C. Code § 32-1505(b)–(d); DOES, Compensation Rates under the District of Columbia Workers' Compensation Act of 1979 (2026 table)
How long benefits last	Permanent total and temporary total disability benefits are paid for as long as the disability continues, with no fixed week limit. Temporary partial disability benefits cannot be paid for more than 5 years. Permanent partial disability for scheduled body parts is paid for the number of weeks set in the statute's schedule. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 32-1508(1), (2), (3), (5)
Permanent disability	Scheduled permanent partial disabilities pay 66 2/3% of the average weekly wage for a set number of weeks, in addition to temporary disability. The statute lists, for example, 312 weeks for an arm, 288 for a leg, 244 for a hand, 205 for a foot and 160 for an eye, but for injuries on or after April 16, 1999 each scheduled period is cut by 25% (rounded up), giving 234 weeks for an arm, 216 for a leg, 183 for a hand, 154 for a foot and 120 for an eye. Other permanent partial disabilities are paid at 66 2/3% of lost wages, based on the difference between pre-injury and post-injury earnings. Partial disability benefits for one injury generally may not exceed 500 weeks, with a possible extension of up to 167 weeks for whole-body impairment over 20%. Permanent total disability pays 66 2/3% of the average weekly wage while it lasts; loss of any two of the hands, arms, feet, legs or eyes is presumed to be permanent total disability. Re-verified and corrected 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code §§ 32-1508(1), (3), 32-1505(b)
Death benefits	Reasonable funeral expenses up to $5,000. A surviving spouse or domestic partner with no children receives 50% of the deceased worker's average wages until remarriage or a new domestic partnership (with two years' benefits paid in a lump sum at that time), plus 16 2/3% for each surviving child. If there is no spouse or partner, children receive 50% for one child plus 16 2/3% for each additional child. Total death benefits may not exceed 66 2/3% of the worker's wages. Dependent grandchildren, siblings, parents and grandparents may receive benefits in some cases. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 32-1509

Choosing a doctor	The employee has the right to choose the attending physician. If the injury is so serious that the employee cannot choose and needs immediate treatment, the employer selects a physician, and the employee may still choose their own doctor after release. Once a treating physician is chosen, the employee may not change physicians without approval from the employer's insurer or the Office of Workers' Compensation; the Office may also order a change. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 32-1507(b)(3)–(4); DOES OWC FAQs
How to file	File DCWC Form 7 (Employee's Notice of Accidental Injury or Occupational Disease) with your employer and the Office of Workers' Compensation within 30 days, and DCWC Form 7a (Employee's Claim Application) within one year. The employer must file DCWC Form 8 (Employer's First Report of Injury) within 10 days of learning of the injury. D.C. government employees use a separate program at the D.C. Office of Risk Management. OWC: 4058 Minnesota Avenue N.E., Third Floor, Washington, DC 20019. Source: DOES Office of Workers' Compensation FAQs
Settlements	Yes. Lump-sum settlements agreed to in writing by the parties may be approved by the Mayor (through the Department of Employment Services' workers' compensation program) if the settlement is found to be in the injured worker's best interest. Where both sides are represented by lawyers, the settlement must be approved. An approved settlement is a complete and final disposition of the case, fully discharges the employer's liability, and is treated as a final binding compensation order. The statute assigns approval to 'the Mayor'. The Department of Employment Services' Office of Workers' Compensation FAQ states that its workers' compensation program approves lump-sum settlements (https://does.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/does/page_content/attachments/OWC_FAQs.pdf). Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 32-1508(8)
Appealing a denial	If a claim is denied or benefits stop, the worker can request an informal conference with an OWC claims examiner (a recommendation is issued within 30 days of the conference) or go directly to a formal hearing by filing an Application for Formal Hearing with the DOES Administrative Hearings Division. A party unhappy with the resulting compensation order may file an application for review with the Compensation Review Board within 30 days of the order; otherwise the order becomes final after 30 days. Board decisions may then be appealed to the D.C. Court of Appeals. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 32-1522; DOES OWC FAQs
Deadline to challenge a denial	Disputed claims: a claim is filed with the Mayor (the Office of Workers' Compensation); on application of any interested party, a hearing must be ordered within 90 days, and an order rejecting or awarding the claim issues within 20 days after the hearing. A party aggrieved by a compensation order may file an application for review with the Compensation Review Board within 30 days of the order's issuance (the other side may oppose within 15 days); otherwise the order becomes final after 30 days. A final decision may then be reviewed by the D.C. Court of Appeals. The sections read set no deadline to request a hearing after a denial or to petition the Court of Appeals. Source: D.C. Code §§ 32-1520, 32-1522
Retaliation for filing	It is unlawful for an employer to fire or otherwise discriminate against an employee for claiming or trying to claim workers' compensation, or for testifying in a workers' compensation proceeding. An employee who is discriminated against must be restored to the job and paid for lost wages (unless no longer qualified to do the work), and the employer faces a penalty of $100 to $1,000. The employer, not its insurer, is responsible. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 32-1542
Filing or checking a claim online	In DC, report a job-related injury or illness promptly to your employer and in writing to the DOES Office of Workers' Compensation (OWC) within 30 days of the injury or of becoming aware of it, using Form OWC-7 (Employee's Notice of Injury): keep a copy, give a copy to your employer and send the original to OWC. File Form OWC-7A (Employee's Claim Application) within one year after the injury or death. Both forms can be filed online. The employer files Form OWC-8, Employer's First Report of Injury or Occupational Disease. OWC: 4058 Minnesota Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20019, (202) 671-1000, Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Online Form OWC-7: https://dcgov.seamlessdocs.com/f/DOES_owc_form_07; Form OWC-7A: https://dcgov.seamlessdocs.com/f/DOES_owc_form_07A Source: DC Department of Employment Services, Office of Workers' Compensation
Lawyer fees in comp cases	In DC workers' comp cases an attorney's fee must be approved by the Mayor (through the Office of Workers' Compensation) or the court, and no fee may be approved above 20% of the actual benefit secured. When the employer or carrier declines to pay within 30 days of notice and the worker later succeeds with an attorney, the approved fee is paid directly by the employer or carrier to the worker's attorney. DOES also posts an OWC Attorney Fees Schedule: https://does.dc.gov/page/owc-attorney-fees-schedule Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code 32-1530

Suing your employer	Suing the employer: in the District, workers' compensation is the employee's exclusive remedy against the employer, its collective-bargaining agent, and its employees, officers, directors, agents and insurer acting within the scope of employment. The exception is an employer that fails to secure payment of compensation: the injured employee (or legal representative) may then choose to claim compensation or sue for damages, and the employer may not plead fellow-servant negligence, assumption of risk or contributory negligence. Source: D.C. Code § 32-1504
Suing someone other than your employer	Suing someone else: a worker injured by a liable third party need not choose between comp and a damages suit. But accepting compensation under an order filed with the Mayor assigns the right to sue to the employer unless the worker sues within six months after the award; if the employer does not sue within 90 days after the assignment, the right goes back to the worker. If the employer recovers, it keeps its expenses, medical costs, comp paid and the present value of future benefits, and pays the rest to the worker less one-fifth. If the worker sues, the employer pays comp minus the third-party recovery, costs and fees are shared in proportion to recovery, and a settlement for less than the comp due requires the employer's and insurer's written approval. Source: D.C. Code § 32-1535
If your employer has no workers' comp	Employer without coverage: an employer that fails to secure workers' comp faces a civil fine of $1,000 to $10,000, and for a corporation, the president, secretary and treasurer are each liable for the fine and personally liable with the corporation for benefits owed for injuries during the uninsured period. The injured employee may claim compensation or sue the employer for damages without the employer's usual defenses. If an award cannot be collected because of the employer's insolvency or similar circumstances, the Mayor may pay it from the special fund and recover from the employer. Source: D.C. Code §§ 32-1539, 32-1504(b), 32-1519(b)

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