Washington, DC Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Serious injuries deserve experienced attorneys

Are you looking for a workers’ compensation lawyer in Washington, DC?

At Cohen & Cohen, we provide workers’ compensation representation grounded in more than 30 years of work on behalf of clients in Washington, DC.

If you were hurt on the job in Washington, DC, you may be trying to recover from the injury while also figuring out how to cover bills without a regular paycheck. The paperwork starts right away, and the deadlines under District law are shorter than most people expect.

Our attorneys represent injured people in the District, Maryland, and Virginia. As a Washington, DC workers’ compensation lawyer, our firm can review your claim, explain the benefits available, and identify whether anyone outside your employer shares responsibility. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation.

Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Washington, DC

A workers’ compensation lawyer in Washington, DC helps employees obtain wage and medical benefits after a job-related injury or illness. In the District, these claims go through the Department of Employment Services rather than a traditional courtroom, and employers generally owe benefits whether or not anyone was careless.

Private employers in the District reported 5,400 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2024, according to BLS injury data. A workers’ comp attorney in Washington, DC handles the filings, medical evidence, and hearings that decide whether an injured worker receives those benefits.

Types of Workers’ Compensation Cases We Handle in Washington, DC

Job injuries in the District happen in hotel kitchens, hospital wards, and construction sites. As workers’ compensation attorneys in Washington, DC, we handle claims across many industries.

• Workplace accidents. Being struck by an object or caught in equipment can cause fractures and head trauma.
• Construction site injuries. Falls from scaffolding and power tool accidents are common on District job sites. Many construction accidents also involve a subcontractor or property owner whose negligence can support a separate claim.
• Slip and fall injuries. Wet restaurant floors and icy loading docks cause falls that fracture wrists, hips, and ankles.
• Machinery and equipment injuries. Forklifts, conveyors, and industrial presses can crush or amputate limbs in seconds. When a guard was missing or a machine was defective, the manufacturer may be responsible for machinery accidents in addition to the workers’ compensation claim.
• Truck accidents. Employees who drive for work can be seriously hurt in crashes, and the at-fault driver can be pursued separately.
• Repetitive stress injuries. Years of typing, lifting, or scanning can lead to tendon and nerve damage that develops slowly. Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome can qualify when the work caused or contributed to them.
• Occupational illness. Years of exposure to hazardous materials can cause lung disease or cancer. Our firm also handles claims involving asbestos exposure in older District buildings.
• Burn injuries. Kitchen staff and electricians face thermal, chemical, and electrical burns.
• Back and spine injuries. Lifting patients and loading trucks can cause herniated discs. Serious back injuries can keep people out of work for months and may require surgery.
• Wrongful death. When a worker dies from a job injury, surviving family members may be entitled to death benefits. A separate claim may also be available against a negligent third party.

Why Choose Cohen & Cohen as my Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Washington, DC?

Founding Attorneys With Trial and Teaching Experience

Jill F. Stanley helped found Cohen & Cohen after working as an Assistant District Attorney, where she first developed her trial skills. Her practice includes personal injury and medical malpractice cases, and she has helped obtain millions of dollars for her clients. She graduated with high distinction from the University of Michigan and cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. Today, she serves as a Professorial Lecturer of Law at George Washington University Law School, and national outlets including CNN/HLN, CBS News, and NBC News have featured her as a legal commentator.

Adam R. Leighton is an AV-rated attorney who served as the 2011-2012 President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Washington, D.C. He earned his law degree from the University of Toledo in 1997 and has been named one of Washington, DC’s Super Lawyers every year from 2011 through 2026. He was also recognized in the 23rd Edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Across more than 10,000 cases, Cohen & Cohen has recovered more than $300 million for injured clients.

What Is Important to Understand About Workers’ Compensation Cases?

Benefits, Eligibility, and Fault in Workers’ Compensation Cases

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. An employer covered by the District’s law is liable for compensation without regard to who caused the injury, so you generally do not have to prove your supervisor or a coworker did anything wrong. In exchange, most workers cannot file a negligence lawsuit against their own employer.

Several kinds of compensation may be available:

• Medical care. Benefits can cover treatment for the work injury, including surgery, therapy, and prescriptions.
• Temporary total disability. While you cannot work at all, you may receive a portion of your average weekly wage.
• Permanent disability. Workers with lasting impairment may receive additional benefits based on the type and extent of the loss.
• Death benefits. Eligible family members can receive payments when a work injury proves fatal.

Negligence still matters in one place. If a contractor, driver, property owner, or equipment maker caused your injury, you may be able to pursue third-party claims for pain and suffering and other losses the workers’ compensation system does not cover.

What Are Important Aspects of a Workers’ Compensation Case?

A few practical issues tend to decide the strength of a claim early on.

• Timely notice. Your employer must receive written notice of the injury within the deadline set by District law.
• Medical documentation. Your doctor’s records need to connect the injury or illness to your job duties.
• Average weekly wage. Wage benefits are calculated from your earnings, so pay stubs and overtime records affect the amount you receive.
• Independent medical examinations. The insurer may ask a doctor it selects to examine you, and that report can be used to challenge your claim.
• Other responsible parties. A claim against someone outside your employer can add compensation that benefits alone do not provide.

What Is the Workers’ Compensation Case Timeline?

D.C. workers’ comp cases generally move through these stages at the Department of Employment Services.

1. Report the injury. You notify your employer, and the employer is required to report the injury to the District.
2. File the claim. A claim for compensation is filed with the Office of Workers’ Compensation.
3. Insurer decision. The employer’s insurance carrier either begins payments or disputes the claim.
4. Informal conference. If benefits are disputed, an informal conference is held to try to resolve the issue.
5. Formal hearing. Disputes that remain unresolved can be heard by an Administrative Law Judge in the Administrative Hearings Division.

What Should You Bring to Your Workers’ Compensation Consultation?

Documents help us give specific answers about your benefits. Useful items include:

• A copy of any written injury report you gave your employer
• Medical records, work restrictions, and bills from every provider you have seen
• Recent pay stubs showing your regular wages and overtime
• Letters or forms from your employer’s insurance carrier

At the free consultation, we will review the details of your injury and your job, go over our contingency fee model, and discuss expected timelines. After you reach out, you can expect a response within 24 to 48 hours.

Washington, DC Workers’ Compensation Offices and Hearing Procedures

Private-sector workers’ compensation claims in the District are handled by the Department of Employment Services, not by a courtroom jury. The Office of Workers’ Compensation, located on the third floor of 4058 Minnesota Avenue NE, accepts claim forms and requests for informal conferences. For now, those filings go in by U.S. mail, and the office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

When a dispute continues after the informal conference, it moves to a formal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge in the Administrative Hearings Division. That division requires Applications for Formal Hearing and most other filings to be submitted through its e-File portal. According to the DOES legal process guide, claimants may use an attorney at any point.

Reach Out to Cohen & Cohen to Schedule a Consultation

Contact us to arrange a free consultation with a workers’ comp lawyer in Washington, DC. We will discuss your benefits, the status of your claim, and whether a third party may also be responsible. During that meeting, we explain how our contingency fee model works before you decide anything. Our office is available 24/7.

Workers’ Compensation Statistics in Washington, DC

Workplace injury data in the District differs from the national picture. Most reported cases come from service employers such as hospitals, schools, hotels, and restaurants, and the private-sector injury rate sits well below the national average.

• The District’s total recordable case rate in private industry was 1.2 per 100 full-time workers in 2024, compared with a national rate of 2.3, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Education and health services and leisure and hospitality made up 37 percent of the District’s private employment in 2024 but accounted for 63 percent of reported injuries and illnesses.
• The District recorded 11 fatal work injuries in 2024, and violent acts caused 5 of them, according to BLS fatality data.
• Private industry accounted for 64 percent of the District’s workplace fatalities in 2024.
• In 2023, the District recorded 12 fatal work injuries, with 3 each in private construction and in transportation and warehousing, according to the 2023 BLS release.

For a D.C. workers’ compensation attorney, a lower injury rate does not mean a lower risk for the worker who does get hurt. Nurses, hotel housekeepers, and restaurant staff face lifting injuries, falls, and assaults, and violence plays a much larger role in District workplace deaths than it does nationally.

Mistakes That Can Damage Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

Many benefits claims are weakened by common claim mistakes made in the first days and weeks after an injury. The errors below come up frequently, and each one gives an insurer a reason to reduce or deny benefits.

1. Waiting to report the injury. District law requires written notice to the employer within 30 days. Telling a coworker or mentioning it casually to a supervisor may not be enough, so put the report in writing and keep a copy.
2. Skipping medical care. Seeing a doctor weeks later gives the insurer an opening to argue that something outside of work caused the injury.
3. Leaving out prior injuries. Insurers review medical histories closely. A work injury that aggravates one of your pre-existing conditions may still be covered, but hiding the earlier problem damages your credibility.
4. Missing the filing deadline. Reporting the injury to your employer is not the same as filing a claim for compensation. The claim must also be filed with the Office of Workers’ Compensation within the time the law allows.
5. Ignoring work restrictions. Exceeding your doctor’s limits lets the insurer argue you are less injured than you claim.
6. Posting about the injury online. Photos or a comment about feeling better can be taken out of context, so limit posts until the claim resolves.
7. Treating the insurer’s doctor as your own. An independent medical examination is arranged by the insurance carrier. Answer honestly, but know the report may be used to cut your benefits.
8. Accepting a settlement too early. A settlement signed before doctors understand your long-term outlook can leave future treatment unpaid.
9. Overlooking a third-party claim. Workers’ compensation does not pay for pain and suffering. If a negligent driver or contractor caused your injury, a separate claim may be the only way to recover those losses.
10. Assuming a denial is final. A denial can be challenged through an informal conference and, if needed, a formal hearing.

Washington, DC Workers’ Compensation Lawyer FAQs

Do I have to prove my employer was at fault to receive benefits?

No. The District’s workers’ compensation law makes a covered employer liable for compensation without regard to fault. That means you generally do not need to show that your employer, a supervisor, or a coworker acted carelessly. There are limited exceptions, such as injuries caused solely by the worker’s intoxication or intentional conduct. A workers’ compensation lawyer in Washington, DC will usually focus on whether you were an employee, whether the injury arose out of your job, and whether you met the deadlines.

How soon do I need to report a work injury in D.C.?

Under D.C. Code § 32-1513, written notice of a work injury should be given within 30 days after the injury. For conditions that develop gradually, the 30 days generally begins when you knew, or reasonably should have known, that the condition was related to your job. The notice should state the time, place, nature, and cause of the injury. Late notice does not always end a claim, but it creates an argument the insurer can use, so reporting promptly is the safer course.

How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim?

D.C. Code § 32-1514 generally requires a claim for disability or death compensation to be filed within one year after the injury or death. If your employer’s insurer paid benefits without a formal award, the one-year period can run from the date of the last payment instead. For occupational illnesses, the period generally starts when you become aware of the connection between the condition and your work. Third-party injury lawsuits follow a different statute of limitations, so both deadlines may need to be tracked at once.

Can I sue my employer for a workplace injury?

In most situations, workers’ compensation is the remedy for an injury caused by your employer, and a negligence lawsuit against the employer is not available. That trade-off is part of the no-fault system. A lawsuit may still be possible against someone else, such as a subcontractor on a construction site, a driver who hit your work vehicle, or the manufacturer of defective equipment. Those claims follow the ordinary rules of negligence, and D.C.’s three-year personal injury deadline under D.C. Code § 12-301 generally applies to them.

What happens if the insurance company denies my claim?

A denial is the start of a dispute process, not the end of your claim under the procedures the District has set up for disputed benefits. According to the Department of Employment Services, a disputed claim first goes to an informal conference. If the benefits remain in dispute afterward, you have the right to a formal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. The stated reason for a claim denial determines what evidence is needed to respond.

How are wage benefits calculated in the District?

Wage benefits are based on your average weekly wage before the injury. Under D.C. Code § 32-1508, temporary total disability benefits are paid at 66 2/3% of that average while you are completely unable to work. The statute also lists set payment periods for losing a hand, leg, or other body part. Benefits are also subject to maximum and minimum rates published by the Department of Employment Services. A D.C. workers’ comp lawyer will check that overtime and other earnings were included in the calculation.

Are federal and D.C. government employees covered by the same system?

Not always. Federal employees who work in the District generally pursue benefits through a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor rather than through the District’s Office of Workers’ Compensation. Employees of the D.C. government are covered by a separate District program for public employees, which has its own forms, procedures, and review process. Private-sector workers file through DOES. Identifying the correct system is an important early step for any Washington workers’ compensation attorney.

What if my injury developed over time instead of in a single accident?

Gradual injuries can still qualify. Repetitive motion conditions, hearing loss, and illnesses caused by workplace exposures are all examples of injuries that build slowly. These claims often depend on medical evidence explaining how your job duties caused or contributed to the condition. Many workers also experience silent injuries that produce few symptoms at first. The filing period for these conditions generally begins when you knew, or should have known, that the condition was connected to your work.

How much does it cost to talk with a workers’ comp attorney in D.C.?

Your first consultation with Cohen & Cohen is free. During that meeting, we review the facts of your injury, discuss expected timelines, and go over our contingency fee model so you understand how payment works before you make any decision. There is no obligation to hire our firm afterward. If you move forward, we take over the legal work, including communication with the insurer, so you can focus on your medical treatment and your recovery.

How long does a D.C. workers’ compensation case take?

The timeline depends on whether the insurer accepts or disputes the claim. An accepted claim may begin paying benefits relatively quickly, while a disputed claim that proceeds through an informal conference and then a formal hearing can take considerably longer. Serious injuries, such as spinal damage or head trauma, often require extended treatment before anyone can evaluate permanent impairment, and that affects the timing of any settlement. Your consultation includes a discussion of expected timelines for your situation.

Important Resources for Washington, DC Workers’ Compensation Cases

What Are Important District of Columbia Legal Resources for Workers’ Compensation Cases?

The District’s workers’ compensation rules appear in Chapter 15 of Title 32 of the D.C. Code, and the official D.C. Law Library publishes the current text online. These sections are useful starting points.

• D.C. Code § 32-1503 makes covered employers liable for compensation without regard to fault.
• D.C. Code § 32-1508 sets the wage benefit rates for disability.
• D.C. Code § 32-1513 sets the 30-day notice requirement for work injuries.
• D.C. Code § 32-1514 sets the one-year deadline for filing a claim.
• D.C. Code § 12-301 sets the three-year deadline for most personal injury lawsuits, including many third-party claims.

What Are Important Local Resources for Washington, DC Workers’ Compensation Cases?

Injured workers in the District may need a claims office, a safety regulator, and emergency medical care.

• Office of Workers’ Compensation, D.C. Department of Employment Services, 4058 Minnesota Avenue NE: (202) 671-1000. It answers questions about claim forms and procedures.
• OSHA complaint line, U.S. Department of Labor: (800) 321-6742. It accepts reports of unsafe working conditions.
• George Washington University Hospital, 900 23rd Street NW: (202) 715-4000. It operates a Level I trauma center in Foggy Bottom.
• Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Avenue NW: (202) 806-0006. It is a designated Level I trauma center.
• MedStar Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving Street NW: (202) 877-7000. Its services include trauma and burn care.

These organizations are listed as a convenience for injured workers. Cohen & Cohen has no affiliation with them and does not endorse their services.

About Cohen & Cohen

Cohen & Cohen is the doing-business-as name of Cohen, Stanley, Leighton and Rodney, PC, which serves injured clients in the District, Maryland, and Virginia from its office on Rhode Island Avenue NW. Jill F. Stanley was a visiting student at Georgetown University Law Center during law school and has guest lectured at Pepperdine University School of Law. Adam R. Leighton has served on the Tort Law Steering Committee of the D.C. Bar and recently secured a $7 million settlement for a pedestrian seriously injured by a school bus.

What Our Clients Say

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I had a great experience with this legal firm. At every milestone in my case, I was confident they were looking out for me. The communication was clear and timely. I feel that my attorney, Adam was persistent in his efforts to reach a resolution and I am truly grateful. I would recommend this firm to everyone who needs legal assistance.”

Karen B

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Additional Resources for Washington, DC Workers’ Compensation Cases

• Understanding the Basics of Workers’ Compensation
• When to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• What Are Repetitive Stress Injuries?
• Construction Site Third-Party Claims
• How Medical Treatment Timing Affects Your Injury Claim

Contact Cohen & Cohen

Contact us to talk with a D.C. workers’ compensation lawyer about your injury. The first consultation is free, and we will explain our contingency fee model before you commit to anything. We will ask about your job duties, how the injury happened, what you have reported to your employer, and what the insurer has told you so far. You can reach our office 24/7, and we respond to online requests within 24 to 48 hours.