Washington, D.C., isn’t just the nation’s capital—it’s a place where the rhythm of politics meets the everyday grind of people from all walks of life. The city has its own set of workers’ compensation laws, separate from federal rules. These are designed to protect employees and make sure they can cover medical bills and lost wages if they get hurt on the job.

However, the system can be tricky. D.C. has strict timelines, specific filing requirements, and procedural details that can easily trip you up if you’re not paying attention. If you miss a step, you might lose out on benefits completely.

A workers’ comp attorney in Washington, DC, understands the D.C. Code, knows how the Office of Workers’ Compensation handles cases, and can spot problems before they derail your claim. Without that expertise, you’re going up against people who know the rules inside and out and who have a vested interest in paying you as little as possible.

Worker involved in an accident wearing a construction vest.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes Workers Make in D.C.?

Now that you understand the backdrop, let’s break down the mistakes that can cost injured employees their benefits in Washington, D.C. 

Waiting to Report Your Injury

In D.C., you have only 30 days to report your injury in writing to your employer. That’s the law under D.C. Code § 32-1513. Miss this window, and you may lose your right to benefits entirely. Waiting also weakens your case because evidence disappears fast.

Even if your boss verbally acknowledges what happened, it’s not enough. You need a dated, written report, ideally using a form, so there’s no debate later.

Changing Your Story

Every detail you give, from what you tell the paramedics to what’s in your ER intake form, will be compared side by side. If something doesn’t match up, even a small detail like saying “left ankle” once and “right ankle” another time, the insurer can use that to argue your injury is questionable.

This is why you need to write down exactly what happened as soon as possible, list every symptom, and get statements from anyone who saw it. Inconsistencies make it easier for the insurance company to deny your claim.

Skipping Medical Advice

In D.C., you can choose your own doctor, but you can’t keep switching without written approval. If you skip appointments or ignore treatment instructions, it looks like your injury isn’t serious anymore. This gives insurers a reason to cut off benefits.

Physical therapy sessions, follow-ups, and specialist visits all become part of your medical record. The thinner that record is, the weaker your claim becomes.

Signing Broad Medical Releases

Insurance adjusters will often send you a release form that allows them to dig into every medical record you’ve ever had, sometimes going back decades.

Once you sign it, they can use unrelated old injuries to argue your current condition isn’t work-related.

Under HIPAA, you don’t have to give blanket access. Only records related to your injury should be shared, and ideally, your lawyer should set those limits in writing before you sign anything.

Social Media 

Investigators look for anything they can use against you. A single photo of you carrying groceries or smiling at a barbecue can be twisted into proof that you’re fine. Privacy settings won’t save you; all it takes is one person sharing a screenshot.

The safest move is to stop posting about anything remotely physical until your claim is resolved.

Taking the First Settlement Offer

Early offers from insurers almost never cover the full picture. They might ignore the cost of future surgeries, physical therapy years from now, or the need for retraining if you can’t go back to your old job.

Once you sign a settlement, you can’t come back for more, even if new problems arise. That’s why a proper calculation of medical costs, lost wages, and benefits should be done before you agree to anything.

Quick Recap: Main Points to Remember

  • Report your injury in writing within 30 days in D.C. to protect your rights.
  • Keep your story consistent across all reports and medical records.
  • Follow all medical advice and keep appointments to strengthen your case.
  • Limit medical record releases to only what’s necessary for your claim.
  • Provide complete wage documentation to get the right benefit amount.
  • Avoid posting anything physical or active on social media during your case.
  • Don’t accept a settlement without knowing your full future costs.