Claims Kit

Penalties for Late Reporting  32-1514  32-1532

Any employer who fails or refuses to submit any required report or filing may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each such failure or refusal.

Additionally, an employer or insurer failing, neglecting, or otherwise refusing to file necessary reports will delay the commencement of the statute of limitations running. The statute of limitations will not begin to run against the claim until the report has been furnished as required.

Physician Selection  34-1507

Injured workers have the right to elect a physician of their choosing to provide claim-related medical care. This ability to elect the provider who renders necessary care for a compensable injury or illness extends to emergency treatment. An injured worker remains able to elect the emergency provider who will render care in emergent situations.

If there is need for immediate treatment and the injured employee is unable to select a physician due to the nature of the injury in question, the employer may select a physician to provide initial treatment to the employee. This is provided, however, that any such physician selected by the employer will not be considered to have been selected by the employee. The employee will retain the right to select a physician of their choosing to act as their authorized treating physician.

In all cases the care rendered must remain reasonable, necessary, and causally related to the industrial injury or illness in question.

Reporting of Claim by Employer  32-1532

Employers must report alleged injuries or diseases to the Office of Workers' Compensation (OWC) within 10 days from the date of injury, death, or receipt of knowledge of the work-related condition. This reporting requirement should be satisfied with the submission of a completed Employer's First Report of Accidental Injury or Occupational Disease (OWC-8).

Failure to present the required report may subject an employer to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each such failure or refusal to report.

Posting Requirements  7-205  32-1536

All employers subject to the provisions of the DC Workers' Compensation Act must keep sufficient notice posted about their place of business. Notice must be posted in a conspicuous place(s) in and around the employer's place(s) of business. The posted notice must be typewritten or printed and in-line with the prescribed forms circulated by the Office of Workers' Compensation (OWC). If not self-insured, these notices must contain the name and address of the employer's insuring workers' compensation insurance carrier and the policy's expiration date. Copies of the circulated poster for employer completion and use are below. Employers should also post copies of the OWC's Employee's Rights and Obligations Information Sheet where appropriate to ensure all parties are aware of their rights under the Act. 

Workers' Compensation Notice of Compliance (Employer Form) - Form 1 DCWC

Workers' Compensation Notice of Compliance (Employer Form) - Form 1 DCWC, Spanish

Employee's Rights and Obligations Information Sheet