District of Columbia Personal Injury Laws

When an injury could not reasonably have been discovered at the time it occurred, the statute begins running from the date the injury was or should have been discovered.

The statute of limitations is tolled for minors and does not begin running until they reach age 18.

Wrongful death actions must be commenced within 2 years after the date of death.

D.C. does not impose a statutory cap on compensatory damages in personal injury cases.

Punitive damages are available with proof that the defendant acted with evil motive, actual malice, or deliberate violence. There is no fixed statutory cap, but courts apply constitutional proportionality limits.

D.C. requires $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury liability, $10,000 property damage, and $25,000/$50,000 uninsured motorist coverage.

Pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable road users involved in collisions with motor vehicles are subject to modified comparative fault rather than contributory negligence. They can recover damages if their negligence is not greater than the defendant's.

When the death of a person is caused by a wrongful act, neglect, or default, the person who would have been liable had death not ensued is liable to an action for damages for the benefit of the spouse, domestic partner, and next of kin.