Filing a Workers' Comp Claim in District of Columbia
The deadlines to report a work injury and file a claim in District of Columbia, how to file, and how to appeal a denial.
Short 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… D.C. Code § 32-1513; DOES OWC 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. |
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| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
Where to get help in District of Columbia
More District of Columbia workers' compensation
- How Much Workers' Comp Pays in District of Columbia
- Workers' Comp Settlements in District of Columbia
- Retaliation for Filing Workers' Comp in District of Columbia
- Suing Over a Work Injury in District of Columbia
- Appealing a Denied Workers' Comp Claim in District of Columbia
- All District of Columbia workers' compensation rules
FAQ
How long do you have to report a work injury in District of Columbia?
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.
What is the deadline to file a workers' comp claim in District of Columbia?
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.
How do you file a workers' comp claim in District of Columbia?
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.
How do you appeal a denied workers' comp claim in District of Columbia?
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.
How do I file or check a workers' comp claim online in District of Columbia?
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.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.