State News : Washington D.C.

NWCDN is a network of law firms dedicated to protecting employers in workers’ compensation claims.


NWCDN Members regularly post articles and summary judgements in workers’ compensations law in your state.  


Select a state from the dropdown menu below to scroll through the state specific archives for updates and opinions on various workers’ compensation laws in your state.


Contact information for NWCDN members is also located on the state specific links in the event you have additional questions or your company is seeking a workers’ compensation lawyer in your state.


Washington D.C.

FRANKLIN & PROKOPIK

D.C. Law 26-42. Parity in Workers’ Compensation Recovery Amendment Act of 2025.

            In July of 2025, the Parity in Workers’ Compensation Recovery Amendment Act of 2025 amended the District of Columbia Workers’ Compensation Act of 1979. This law allows claimants who received an award or payment of compensation in another state to receive compensation for the same injury or death in DC. However, if the claimant was already awarded compensation from the other state, D.C. will reduce the amount they already received from the other state.  This amendment applies to all claims that were still pending as of June 28, 2022 and all claims after that. This law became effective on October 1, 2025.

 

New D.C. Compensation Rates

The newest D.C. Compensation minimum temporary total disability and permanent partial disability rate as of 1/1/2026 are $463.02. The maximum temporary total disability and permanent partial disability rate as of 1/1/2026 is $1,852.07. Additionally, the maximum penalty for a late payment is now $7,500.

 

Minimum Wage

Beginning July 1, 2026, the minimum wage in D.C. will increase from $17.95 per hour to $18.40 per hour for all workers, regardless of the size of the employer. As of July 21, 2026, the base minimum wage for tipped employees will increase to $10.30 per hour. This affects workers’ compensation costs for employes because the higher their wages are, the more injured workers can receive.