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You lost someone you loved because of someone else's negligence.
TopDog fights for justice and your family's financial security.
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Wrongful death is the most devastating outcome of someone else's negligence. Car accidents on DC's most dangerous corridors, construction accidents across the District, medical malpractice at area hospitals, and workplace incidents claim lives every year. DC recorded 50 traffic fatalities in 2024 per the DC Highway Safety Office — with over 70 percent attributed to highly risky behaviors. Families are left without a spouse, a parent, a child. Insurance companies and defense attorneys may minimize the loss of life and use delay tactics to pay grieving families as little as possible. TopDog fights to get you every dollar your family deserves.
Wrongful deaths in DC happen on MLK Jr. Avenue SE and I-295, in construction zones across the District, in hospital rooms at United Medical Center and Howard University Hospital, and in workplaces throughout all eight wards. We know how these cases are built in DC and how to hold defendants accountable. Those losses cause real damage to families and we fight to get them the justice and financial security they deserve.
Insurance companies and defense attorneys across DC often use delay, denial, and lowball tactics to minimize the loss of life and pay grieving families as little as possible. DC's contributory negligence rule applies even in wrongful death cases — defense attorneys will try to assign any share of fault to the deceased to bar the entire recovery. WMATA and DC government agency involvement require notice within 6 months. We know how to leverage the justice system in DC courts to fight back and protect your family's right to the full recovery they may be entitled to.
IMPORTANT WASHINGTON DC LEGAL INFORMATION — WRONGFUL DEATH
Statute of Limitations: 2 years from the date of death.
At-Fault Jurisdiction: DC is an at-fault jurisdiction. The at-fault party's liability insurance covers your damages.
Contributory Negligence (Critical): Washington, D.C. is one of only a small number of jurisdictions that still uses pure contributory negligence. If you are found to be even 1% at fault for your own injury, you may be completely barred from any recovery. The D.C. Motor Vehicle Collision Recovery Act is an exception to this rule, following a comparative negligence standard for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and users of e-scooters.
Government Entity (Critical): Claims against the District of Columbia, WMATA (Metro bus and rail), DC Housing Authority, or any DC government agency require notice to the DC Office of Risk Management within 6 months of the incident. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your case.
No Damage Cap: DC has no cap on wrongful death damages.
Who Can File: Personal representative of the deceased's estate.
Separate from Criminal Proceedings: Civil wrongful death lawsuit is separate from any criminal case.
This is a brief summary of commonly applied laws in the jurisdiction. There are often different laws that apply to different circumstances. Once you hire TopDog, your attorney will advise you on the applicable laws.
Insurance companies and defense attorneys may make early low offers and often use delay tactics to minimize the loss of life. DC has no cap on wrongful death damages. TopDog fights to establish full fault on the defendant and secure your family's full recovery.
Wrongful Death | $2,545,036 avg | $4,400,000+ highest
Recoveries by TopDog Law and its co-counsel. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes in your case.
See how much your case may be worth
Call us or fill out our form — getting started takes about 5 minutes. Tell us what happened. We'll review your information and get back to you fast to discuss your case. No pressure.
Get medical attention and document everything — your health comes first. Keep records of every doctor visit, every bill, every day you missed work or could not do what you normally do.
Do not talk to insurance without us. They may use delay, deny, and lowball tactics from the moment you pick up the phone. Anything you say can be used to reduce what you are owed. Let TopDog handle them.
Time Is Critical
DC's wrongful death SOL is 2 years from the date of death — and WMATA or government entity cases require notice within 6 months. Call TopDog immediately. This is a general summary — deadlines vary. Contact TopDog Law to confirm what may apply in your situation.
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