Washington DC Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury Attorney
Hurt on the job or in a crash in Washington DC, I'm Mitchell Greenberg — I've been fighting for DC workers and injury victims since 1991, and I don't hand cases off after intake.
DC Has Its Own Workers' Comp System — and It Plays by Different Rules
Washington DC workers' compensation operates under the DC Workers' Compensation Act, administered by the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES). It is entirely separate from Maryland's system, and it has its own filing procedures, deadlines, hearing processes, and dispute resolution mechanisms. If you live in Maryland but were injured while working in DC, you may have a claim under DC law — not Maryland law. That distinction can determine whether your claim succeeds or disappears. Knowing which system applies to your injury is the first question a DC workers comp lawyer should answer, and it's one I've been answering for clients for over three decades.
Washington DC Has Spoken. Read the Verdict.
Who I Represent in Washington DC
DC Workers Injured on the Job
Workers' Compensation
If you were hurt at a DC worksite — a construction project, a government building, a restaurant, a retail location, anywhere — you have the right to workers' compensation benefits under DC law. Those benefits include medical treatment, wage replacement, and compensation for permanent disability. Insurance carriers and employers in DC fight these claims aggressively. I fight back.
- Workplace injuries at DC construction and government sites
- Repetitive stress and occupational disease claims
- Denied or disputed DOES workers' comp claims
- Claims involving permanent partial or total disability
- Vocational rehabilitation disputes
Federal Employees Injured in Washington DC
Whether you were hurt on a job site in Glen Burnie, injured in a crash on Route 2 or I-97, or you're facing criminal charges in the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, I handle the cases that carry real consequences.
DC Personal Injury Victims
If you were injured in a car crash, motorcycle crash, or truck crash in Washington, DC, or if you were harmed by a negligent driver crossing into the District, DC tort law governs your claim. I represent crash victims across the District and handle cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, and uninsured or underinsured motorists. DC's contributory negligence rule is one of the harshest in the country — even a small finding of fault on your part can bar recovery entirely. That makes having an experienced DC personal injury lawyer in your corner from the start essential, not optional.
Why DC Workers and Injury Victims Hire Me
I've been named a Super Lawyers honoree eight consecutive times — a peer-reviewed designation reserved for the top 5% of attorneys in Maryland. I've secured six of the highest workers' compensation disability settlements and awards recorded in Maryland in a single year. I've handled 17 murder cases and never lost one. I've served as a former chairman of the Maryland Task Force on Injured Workers Rehabilitation and published on vocational rehabilitation in the Maryland Association for Justice Trial Lawyer Magazine. These aren't credentials I list to impress — they're the record of someone who has been in the fight long enough to know how it works.
What doesn't change regardless of jurisdiction: I am closely involved in every case. Your file doesn't go to a junior associate after we speak. You work with me.
Areas Across DC I Serve
My practice covers the full District of Columbia, including clients from all eight wards and surrounding neighborhoods. Whether you were injured near the Capitol Hill corridor, in a federal building in Foggy Bottom, at a construction site in Northeast DC, or in a crash anywhere in the District, I'm available to represent you. My office is located in Glen Burnie, Maryland, which puts me within direct reach of DC clients, and I'm reachable by phone, text, and email outside of regular business hours. For clients who prefer to communicate in Spanish, my staff is bilingual and ready to help.
Estate Planning Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions About DC Workers' Comp and Injury Claims
Do I need a DC workers' comp attorney if I live in Maryland but was hurt in Washington DC?
Yes — and the attorney you hire should specifically understand DC's workers' compensation system. If you were injured while working in DC, your claim is governed by the DC Workers' Compensation Act and administered by DOES, not by Maryland's Workers' Compensation Commission. The filing procedures, deadlines, and dispute processes are different. An attorney who only practices in Maryland may not know the DC system well enough to protect your claim.What is the difference between DC workers' comp and federal workers' comp?
DC workers' compensation covers private-sector and some local government employees who work in the District. Federal workers' compensation — governed by the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) — covers civilian federal employees regardless of where they work. If you work for a federal agency, FECA applies to your injury claim, and it's administered by the OWCP within the U.S. Department of Labor. These are two entirely separate systems with different rules, benefits, and appeals processes.How long do I have to file a workers' comp claim in Washington DC?
Under DC law, you generally must notify your employer of a work injury within 30 days and file a claim with DOES within one year of the injury or the date you knew — or should have known — the injury was work-related. Missing these deadlines can result in your claim being denied. If you're unsure whether your deadline has passed, contact me before assuming it has — there are exceptions that may apply.What does DC's contributory negligence rule mean for my personal injury case?
Washington DC follows pure contributory negligence, one of the strictest standards in the United States. Under this rule, if you are found to be even 1% at fault for a crash or injury, you may be completely barred from recovering any compensation. This makes how your case is investigated, documented, and presented from the very beginning critically important. It's one of the strongest reasons not to handle a DC personal injury claim without experienced legal representation.Can I text or call after hours if I have a question about my DC injury case?
Yes. I'm reachable by phone, text, and email outside of regular business hours. My office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, but I understand that injuries don't happen on a schedule and that people have questions that can't wait. Reach me at 443-672-8529 or through the contact form on this site, which routes directly into my Smokeball case management portal so nothing gets lost.
Ready to Fight for Your DC Claim? Let's Talk.
The word "champion" has a meaning older than trophies and rankings. It means someone who steps into the fight on behalf of another person. That's what I do — in DC workers' comp hearings, in federal OWCP proceedings, and in DC courtrooms. If you were hurt in Washington, DC and you need someone who will stay in the fight with you from the first call to the final resolution, call or text me at 443-672-8529 or use the contact form below. Your consultation is free, and there's no time limit on it.