1. Regan Zambri Long PLLC
Focus Area: Medical malpractice, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death
Practice Areas: Medical malpractice, birth injuries, brain injuries, motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, nursing home abuse, defective products, workers’ compensation
Background: Firm established in 1997 with over 100 years of combined experience among partners. All partners hold AV Preeminent Peer Review Ratings from Martindale-Hubbell. The firm has recovered over $1 billion for clients. Partners Patrick M. Regan and Salvatore J. Zambri are board-certified in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Location: 1919 M Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Contact: (202) 463-3030 | https://rhllaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee basis, meaning no fees unless the case is won.
2. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.
Focus Area: Personal injury litigation, medical malpractice, mass transit accidents
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck and tractor-trailer collisions, train and mass transit accidents, medical malpractice, brain injuries, nursing home abuse, premises liability, wrongful death, whistleblower cases
Background: Firm established in 1969 with over 50 years serving the DC Metro area. Over 120 years of combined experience among attorneys. The firm has recovered over $1 billion for clients. Four partners have served as Presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, DC.
Location: 1232 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Contact: (202) 659-8600 | https://www.chaikinandsherman.com
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7. Contingency fee arrangement with no upfront costs.
3. Cohen & Cohen, P.C.
Focus Area: Auto accidents, premises liability, medical malpractice
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, medical malpractice, wrongful death, nursing home negligence
Background: Operating for over 30 years in the Washington, DC area. The firm has represented thousands of accident victims and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements. Founding partner Wayne Cohen regularly appears in national media outlets including ABC, NBC, and the Washington Post.
Location: 1629 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006
Contact: (202) 955-4529 | https://cohenandcohen.net
Consultation: Free case evaluation. Contingency fee structure with no payment unless they win.
4. The Cochran Firm DC
Focus Area: Serious personal injury, civil rights, medical malpractice
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck crashes, motorcycle accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, police brutality, civil rights violations, product liability
Background: Part of the national Cochran Firm network founded by legendary attorney Johnnie Cochran. The DC office employs full-time in-house investigators and a registered nurse paralegal. The firm handles both individual injury cases and class action litigation.
Location: 1100 New York Avenue NW, Suite 340 East, Washington, DC 20005
Contact: (202) 682-5800 | https://www.cochranfirm.com/washington-dc
Consultation: Free, confidential case evaluation. Contingency fee basis.
5. Mesirow & Associates, PLLC
Focus Area: Motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, personal injury litigation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, negligent security, wrongful death
Background: Attorney John Mesirow holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and a 10.0/10.0 rating from Avvo. The firm operates as a small practice emphasizing personalized service. Cases are handled directly by the attorney from start to finish without delegation to paralegals.
Location: 1900 L Street NW, Suite 310, Washington, DC 20036
Contact: (866) 463-0303 | https://www.dc-attorney.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation. Contingency fee arrangement.
Personal Injury Laws in Washington, DC
Statute of Limitations:
Personal injury claims in Washington, DC must be filed within three years from the date of the injury under DC Code Section 12-301. Wrongful death claims have a shorter deadline of two years from the date of death. Claims against the District of Columbia government require a Notice of Claim to be filed within six months of the accident.
Negligence Rules:
DC follows a contributory negligence rule, which is one of the strictest in the nation. Under this doctrine, if the injured party is found to be even slightly at fault for the accident (as little as 1%), they are completely barred from recovering any compensation. However, DC provides an exception for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. These users can recover damages under a modified comparative negligence rule as long as they are not more than 50% responsible for the accident.
Damage Caps:
Washington, DC does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases, including medical malpractice claims. Plaintiffs can pursue full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages without statutory limits.
Auto Insurance Requirements:
DC requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury to two or more people, and $10,000 for property damage. DC also requires $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage. The District operates under a fault-based insurance system, meaning the at-fault driver is responsible for damages.
No-Fault vs. At-Fault:
Washington, DC follows a fault-based system for auto accidents. Injured parties can file claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance or pursue a lawsuit directly. There is an exception for severe injuries that allows victims to bypass insurance negotiations and file a direct lawsuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the contributory negligence rule in DC affect my ability to recover damages?
A: Unlike most states that use comparative negligence, DC follows a strict contributory negligence standard. This means if you bear any responsibility for the accident, even 1% fault, you may be completely barred from recovering compensation. However, defendants often use this rule as leverage in negotiations, and skilled attorneys can present evidence to demonstrate the other party was entirely at fault.
Q: What steps must I take if I want to sue the District of Columbia government for my injuries?
A: Claims against the DC government require strict compliance with notice requirements. You must file a Notice of Claim letter within six months of the accident. The notice must include specific information about the incident, your injuries, and the damages you seek. Failure to provide timely notice can result in your claim being dismissed.
Q: Are there different rules for pedestrians and cyclists injured in DC traffic accidents?
A: Yes, DC law treats pedestrians, bicyclists, and users of similar devices as vulnerable road users. These individuals benefit from a modified comparative negligence rule rather than the strict contributory negligence standard. Vulnerable users can recover damages as long as they are not more than 50% responsible for the accident, with their recovery reduced by their percentage of fault.
Q: What types of damages can I recover in a DC personal injury case?
A: DC allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages without caps. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, future medical care, and rehabilitation costs. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability. In cases involving intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be available.
Q: How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim in Washington, DC?
A: Medical malpractice claims in DC are subject to the same three-year statute of limitations as other personal injury claims. However, the discovery rule applies, meaning the clock may start when the injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered rather than when the negligent act occurred. Given the complexity of medical malpractice cases, consulting with an attorney well before the deadline is essential.