In Washington, D.C., personal injury claims fall under D.C. Code § 12-301 with a 3-year statute of limitations. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 1 documented result in Washington, D.C. (100% favorable outcome rate). DC applies contributory negligence — 1% fault bars all recovery. Consultation by appointment.
Last verified: April 2026 | DC Superior Court | D.C. Code § 12-301 (official DC Council)
Under D.C. Code § 12-301, you have 3 years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington, D.C. For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is 2 years under D.C. Code § 16-2701. DC is one of only four jurisdictions that still follows the strict contributory negligence rule — if you are found even 1% at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any damages. This makes immediate legal guidance critical after any accident.
Review the official statute: D.C. Code § 12-301 (official DC Council). For court procedures, visit the DC Courts official website.
- Seek medical attention immediately and document all injuries.
- Preserve evidence: photos, witness contact info, police report.
- Notify your insurance company but do not give a recorded statement without counsel.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer before the statute of limitations expires.
- File your complaint at DC Superior Court Civil Division, 500 Indiana Avenue NW.
- Participate in mandatory mediation before trial.
In Washington, D.C., personal injury claims involve damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
| Claim Type | Statute of Limitations | Fault Rule | Damages Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 3 years (D.C. Code § 12-301) | Contributory negligence | Medical, lost wages, pain/suffering, property |
| Wrongful Death | 2 years (D.C. Code § 16-2701) | Contributory negligence | Funeral costs, loss of consortium, lost income |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. The firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and has documented 4,739+ case results firm-wide 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: 4,739+ case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate across VA, MD, NJ, NY, and DC.
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 Ave.
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.
Q: 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.
Q: Does DC have a cap on personal injury damages?
No. DC does not impose a general cap on personal injury damages. However, punitive damages require proof of egregious conduct. Wrongful death damages are limited to economic losses and loss of consortium.
Q: Can I still recover if I was partially at fault in DC?
No. DC applies pure contributory negligence. If you are even 1% at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any damages. This is why immediate evidence preservation and witness identification are essential.
Q: 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 before trial. Complex cases may take longer.
Q: What damages can I recover in a DC personal injury case?
You can recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and in some cases punitive damages. For wrongful death, surviving family members can recover funeral costs, loss of consortium, and lost income.
Last verified: April 2026. Information current as of April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.