## Workers' compensation in District of Columbia Workers' compensation is a no-fault system providing medical care, lost wages, and disability benefits to workers injured on the job — in exchange for giving up the right to sue the employer for negligence. Every state except Texas mandates WC coverage for most employers. ### District of Columbia workers' compensation - **Agency:** DC Office of Workers' Compensation - **Statute of limitations:** 1 year from injury ## What WC covers **Medical benefits:** - Doctor visits - Hospital and surgical care - Physical therapy / rehabilitation - Prescription medications - Durable medical equipment - Mileage to medical appointments **Lost-wage benefits:** - **Temporary Total Disability (TTD)** — usually 2/3 of average weekly wage during recovery - **Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)** — for partial inability to work - **Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)** — for permanent impairment that allows some work - **Permanent Total Disability (PTD)** — for permanent inability to work - **Death benefits** — to surviving spouse and dependents **Vocational rehabilitation** in many states for workers unable to return to former job ## What's covered as a "work injury" Generally: - **Specific accidents** — falls, machinery, vehicle crashes during work - **Repetitive stress / overuse injuries** — carpal tunnel, back issues - **Occupational diseases** — asbestos, hearing loss, chemical exposure - **Mental-mental injuries** (in some states) — psychological injury without physical trigger - **Heart attacks / strokes** — only when work-stress was substantial cause - **Aggravation of pre-existing conditions** — in many states, full benefits if work made it worse ## What's typically NOT covered - **Self-inflicted injuries** - **Injuries from intoxication** (with state-specific causation tests) - **Injuries from horseplay** by the injured worker - **Commute injuries** ("going-and-coming rule") — with exceptions for travel during work - **Off-duty injuries** — even if on employer property - **Self-employed / independent contractors** (with state-specific tests) - **Domestic workers** (in many states) — limited or excluded - **Volunteers** (typically) — though some states extend ## How to file 1. **Notify employer** — most states require notice within 30-90 days of injury 2. **Get medical care** — many states require seeing employer-designated doctor first 3. **File claim** with state agency — within state SOL 4. **Complete medical evaluation** — Independent Medical Examination (IME) often required 5. **Receive benefits** OR **dispute denial** 6. **Resolve case** — settlement, lump-sum, or ongoing benefits ## The "exclusive remedy" rule Workers' comp is the **exclusive remedy** against the employer — meaning you generally can't sue your employer for negligence. EXCEPTIONS: - **Intentional torts** by employer - **Third-party defendants** — equipment manufacturer, contractor, vendor — can be sued separately - **"Dual capacity" exception** — when employer was acting in capacity other than employer - **Texas non-subscribers** — can be sued for negligence (no exclusive-remedy bar) Third-party claims often produce significantly larger recovery than WC alone — they're a major focus of injured-worker representation. ## Common disputes - **Compensability** — was the injury actually work-related? - **Average weekly wage calculation** — drives all benefit amounts - **Medical care disputes** — denied treatments, IME conflicts - **Return-to-work disputes** — light-duty offers, max medical improvement (MMI) - **Permanent impairment ratings** — drives PPD benefits - **Settlement / lump-sum approval** - **Vocational rehab eligibility** ## Settlement Most WC cases eventually settle. Two types: - **Stipulation / award with reservation** — defined benefits with rights to medical care continuing - **Compromise / clincher** — full lump-sum payment closing all rights including medical Always have an attorney review settlement terms — Medicare set-asides (for older workers), tax implications, and waiver language all matter enormously. ## Retaliation protection All states (except possibly TX non-subscribers) prohibit retaliation against workers for filing WC claims. Retaliation claims often have: - **Burden-shifting framework** similar to discrimination law - **Damages beyond WC** — back pay, front pay, emotional distress, sometimes punitive - **State-specific anti-retaliation statutes** ## What you should do If you've been hurt on the job in District of Columbia: report it to your employer in writing immediately, get medical care (preferably from your employer's panel doctor first to satisfy state requirements), document everything, and consider hiring a workers' comp attorney early. Most District of Columbia WC attorneys work on contingency (statutorily limited percentages, e.g., 15-25% of recovery) and offer free consultations. --- *This guide is general information about District of Columbia law as of early 2026 and is not legal advice. WC law is highly procedural and varies significantly between states. Talk to a licensed District of Columbia workers' compensation attorney about your specific case.*