Washington, D.C. personal injury claims fall under D.C. Code § 12-301 with a 3-year statute of limitations. DC applies contributory negligence — even 1% plaintiff fault bars all recovery. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 1 documented result in Washington, D.C. (100% favorable outcome rate).
Last verified: April 2026 | DC Superior Court | D.C. Code § 12-301 (official DC Code)
Under D.C. Code § 12-301, personal injury claims must be filed within 3 years of the injury date. Wrongful death claims under § 16-2701 have a 2-year statute of limitations. DC is a contributory negligence jurisdiction — if you are even 1% at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. This strict rule makes immediate legal action critical after any accident in Washington, D.C.
Review the official statute at D.C. Code § 12-301 (official DC Code). For court procedures, visit DC Superior Court official website.
- Preserve all evidence immediately — photos, witness contact info, police report.
- File your claim within 3 years under D.C. Code § 12-301.
- Attend mandatory mediation at DC Superior Court, 500 Indiana Avenue NW.
- Prepare for trial if mediation does not resolve the case.
- Present your case before a judge or jury at DC Superior Court.
In Washington, D.C., personal injury claims carry no cap on damages, but contributory negligence can bar recovery entirely. Wrongful death claims have a 2-year statute of limitations.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury Claim | Civil | N/A | No cap on damages | N/A | Contributory negligence bars recovery at 1% fault |
| Wrongful Death | Civil | N/A | No cap on damages | N/A | 2-year statute of limitations under § 16-2701 |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has over 120 years of combined legal experience. The firm has documented 4,739+ case results firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC, with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. Our tagline: “Advocacy Without Borders.”
In Washington, D.C., Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 1 total documented case result across all practice areas (100% favorable outcome rate). Firm-wide across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC: 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Arlington location is approximately 3 miles from DC Superior Court, accessible via I-395, I-66, and Constitution Avenue.
Personal injury lawyer near Washington, D.C. — serving Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, U Street, Logan Circle, Foggy Bottom, Navy Yard, Petworth, Brookland, Anacostia, Southwest Waterfront, Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, Spring Valley, Forest Hills, Chevy Chase DC, American University Park, Wesley Heights, Bloomingdale, Tenleytown, Friendship Heights, Glover Park, Mount Pleasant, Shaw, Chinatown/Penn Quarter, NoMa, Ivy City, Eckington, Deanwood, Hillcrest, Congress Heights, Barracks Row, Eastern Market.
24/7 phone consultations — Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: 703-589-9250 — meetings by appointment only.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in DC?
3 years under D.C. Code § 12-301. Wrongful death: 2 years. DC follows contributory negligence (1% fault = no recovery). Claims at DC Superior Court (500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001). Small Claims Branch handles claims up to $10,000.
Does DC have a cap on personal injury damages?
No, DC does not have a general cap on personal injury damages. However, contributory negligence can bar recovery entirely if you are found even 1% at fault. Punitive damages are available for egregious conduct.
Can I file a personal injury claim in DC Small Claims Court?
Yes, the Small Claims Branch of DC Superior Court handles claims up to $10,000. For larger claims, you must file in the Civil Division. Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency (33-40%).
What is contributory negligence in DC?
Contributory negligence means if you are even 1% at fault for the accident, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. DC is one of only a few jurisdictions that still follows this strict rule.
How long does a personal injury case take in DC?
It depends. Most personal injury cases in DC Superior Court take 12-24 months from filing to resolution. Mandatory mediation is required for many civil cases, which can speed up the process.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for updated guidance.