What Damages Can I Recover From
a Construction Accident Injury in Washington, DC?

Get Maximum Compensation for a DC Construction Accident

The award-winning legal experts at Regan Zambri Long deeply understand the challenges involved in navigating the aftermath of construction accidents and injuries. With over three decades of experience, our team of Washington, DC, personal injury attorneys have a comprehensive understanding of the complex and intricate regulations in the capital.

Our tireless work in securing justice for our clients has earned us more than 100 5 star reviews on Google, as well as some of the US legal industry’s most respected accolades. All six of our partners have featured in the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list, and seven of our attorneys have also been honored by Super Lawyers, with Salvatore Zambri named to the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC list, and Zambri, Paul Cornoni, and Patrick Regan also regarded as Top 100 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, underscoring our meticulous standards in litigation.

Has you or a loved one been injured in a construction accident?  Contact Regan Zambri Long 24/7 for a free evaluation of your case, and an attorney will return your call. We’ll help you get the settlement you deserve, and we charge no fees unless we win your case.

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What are the Different Types of Damages in DC Construction Accident Cases?

Economic Damages

Economic damages are compensation for the tangible financial losses you’ve incurred as a result of your construction accident injury. These damages aim to make you “whole” by covering the financial burden imposed by the accident. In Washington D.C., economic damages can significantly help offset the often overwhelming expenses you are likely to face.

Typical economic damages in DC construction accident cases include:

 

Medical Expenses: This can include emergency room visits, surgeries, medication, and ongoing medical care related to your injuries.

 

Rehabilitation Costs: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other long-term care services fall under this category.

 

If you have been severely injured, you may face considerable and ongoing expenses to restore your quality of life.

 

For instance, a 2025 study published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health estimates the average cost of rehabilitation for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to be $57,366.05 per person. Severely injured patients without TBI may still face average costs of $57,117.64 across the duration of their treatment periods. These long-term expenses may be covered as part of your settlement.

 

Lost Income: If you’re unable to work due to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, both past and future.

Non-Economic Damages

Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses, such as emotional and psychological suffering. These are more subjective and harder to quantify but are nonetheless important in ensuring comprehensive recovery.

Common types of non-economic damages recoverable in Washington D.C. include:

Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort endured because of your injuries.

Emotional Distress: If the accident led to psychological conditions like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ,you might be eligible for compensation.

Loss of Consortium: This is awarded if the accident negatively impacts your relationship with your spouse or family.

Non-economic damages can be complicated to calculate, making it all the more important to seek the guidance of a construction injury law firm like Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Attorneys. Our skilled attorneys will value your case fairly and accurately and fight to secure you your rightful compensation.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are not aimed at compensating the victim but are rather designed to punish the defendant for particularly egregious or negligent behavior. In Washington D.C., these are rarely awarded in construction accident cases and generally require evidence of “willful and wanton” conduct on the part of the defendant. Their values can vary widely; according to the Institute for Legal Reform (IRL), the median value of punitive awards in the US rose from $35 million in 2017 to more than $87 million by 2022.

To be eligible for punitive damages, you typically need to prove that the responsible party acted with reckless disregard for human life. Given the high bar for such damages, it’s essential to consult with a specialized construction accident law firm, such as Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Attorneys, who can evaluate the unique circumstances of your case.

How a Construction Injury Law Firm Can Help

Legal Expertise

When it comes to navigating the labyrinthine laws and regulations surrounding DC construction accident damages, expertise matters. By hiring a specialized construction injury law firm like Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Attorneys, you’re essentially adding a layer of invaluable legal skill to your case. Our team is proficient in understanding the nuances of construction accident laws in Washington D.C., ensuring you’re aware of all the types of damages you could potentially claim. Moreover, we can help you accurately calculate these damages, drawing upon years of experience and a multitude of resolved cases, to maximize your compensation.

 

Our legal expertise in personal injury cases has earned us numerous industry accolades to date, with seven of our attorneys featured as Super Lawyers; Salvatore Zambri named to the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC, and Zambri, Paul Cornoni, and Patrick Regan named to the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Washington, DC – titles held by only a small percentage of US lawyers each year.

 

No less than seven of our specialists have also been named to Best Lawyers, with Patrick Regan honored as Lawyer of the Year for Mass Tort Litigation (2022, 2024) and Medical Malpractice Law (2020), Salvatore Zambri named Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation (2020), and Paul Cornoni nominated Lawyer of the Year for Workers’ Compensation (2026). Best Lawyers has also added our firm to Best Law Firms, highlighting our exceptional knowledge and expertise in serving the ends of justice.

Case Assessment

Before you can pursue a claim for damages, it’s critical to have a thorough assessment of your case. A seasoned construction accident law firm can provide this crucial first step. At Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Attorneys, we scrutinize the details of your accident—such as the severity of your injuries, the parties involved, and the circumstances leading to the accident—to give you a realistic understanding of what types of damages you might be eligible for. Our comprehensive case assessments aim to develop a tailored strategy that aligns with your specific situation and needs.

Claim Process

Navigating the claims process can be a complex endeavor, fraught with pitfalls that can jeopardize your chance of securing maximum compensation. From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, each step is crucial. Having the legal support of a knowledgeable construction injury law firm during this process is indispensable. Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Attorneys can guide you through each phase, ensuring that no stone is left unturned. We handle the paperwork, the negotiations, and if necessary, the courtroom litigation, letting you focus on what’s most important—your recovery.

By enlisting the help of Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Attorneys, you arm yourself with legal acumen, skilled case assessment, and unwavering support throughout the claims process. This ensures that you stand the best chance of receiving the full scope of DC construction accident damages you’re entitled to.

Case Studies: Real Examples of Recovered Damages

Understanding the abstract legal terms and categories of damages can be complex, but real-world examples can help bring clarity. Below are anonymized case studies that demonstrate how Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Attorneys have successfully helped clients recover various types of DC construction accident damages.

Case Study 1: The Multi-Faceted Recovery

In this case, our client suffered severe injuries due to a scaffold collapse. Our team was able to recover substantial economic damages for medical expenses, including surgeries and months of physical therapy. We also secured non-economic damages for the client’s significant pain and suffering. The total settlement was upwards of $1.2 million.

Case Study 2: Lost Income Reclaimed

Our client, a construction worker, sustained a back injury that prevented him from working for an extended period. Alongside medical expenses, we fought vigorously to recover lost income for the time our client had to spend away from work. The settlement was a holistic package, addressing not only immediate financial needs but also future earnings.

Case Study 3: Punitive Damages for Reckless Behavior

In an exceptional case, we represented a client whose injuries were the result of overtly reckless conduct by the employer, involving the flouting of safety regulations. Here, we were able to secure punitive damages in addition to economic and non-economic damages, sending a clear message about the consequences of such negligence.

Case Study 4: Emotional Distress and Loss of Consortium

This case involved a worker who endured not only physical injuries but significant emotional distress, affecting their family life adversely. Our team recovered damages not just for medical expenses and lost income, but also for emotional distress and loss of consortium.

These cases underscore the breadth and depth of experience Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Attorneys bring to the table. With our help, clients have successfully navigated the legal maze to recover a wide array of DC construction accident damages, tailored to their unique circumstances and needs.

A wooden judge’s gavel rests beside a golden scale of justice and legal books, symbolizing legal action following a construction site injury. Individuals injured in construction accidents may be entitled to recover damages such as medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term disability. This image represents the legal process and available compensation. For support in Washington, DC, contact Regan Zambri Long PLLC at (202) 937-3310.

FAQs About DC Construction Accident Damages

What’s the time frame for filing a DC construction accident claim?

In Washington D.C., the statute of limitations for construction accident claims is generally three years from the date of the accident. This means you have a three-year window to file a lawsuit against the responsible party or parties. However, there are exceptions and special circumstances that could either extend or shorten this timeframe. For example, if the injured party is a minor, different rules may apply. Consulting a construction accident law firm like Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Attorneys can provide you with the specific legal advice tailored to your unique situation.

What is the average value of a construction accident lawsuit settlement?

The values of construction injury lawsuit settlements can vary considerably, based on each case’s specific details. These factors affect the value of the settlement you could be entitled to:

 

  • The extent and severity of your injuries.
  • The cause(s) of your injury.
  • The long-term effects of your injuries on your well-being.
  • Loss of wages and earning capacity.
  • The need for long-term care and rehabilitation.
  • Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Many minor injury cases typically fetch five-figure settlements in court, while moderate to severe injuries could fetch you hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars in compensation.

 

When you choose Regan Zambri Long to represent your construction injury case, our attorneys will work with you to fully understand your accident and its effects, and value your damages fairly and comprehensively. This approach will ensure that we can win you a settlement which covers all of your medical expenses, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

How is pain and suffering calculated?

Pain and suffering, which falls under the category of non-economic damages, is often calculated using one of two common methods: the “Multiplier Method” or the “Per Diem Method.” The Multiplier Method involves multiplying your total economic damages (like medical bills and lost wages) by a certain number that represents the severity of your suffering. The Per Diem Method assigns a daily value to your pain and suffering, which is then extended over the duration of your recovery period. The methods for calculating these damages can vary, and a construction injury law firm can provide invaluable expertise in determining a fair and accurate valuation.

How much can I claim through workers’ compensation after my accident?

According to the DC Workers’ Compensation Act, Code § 32–1505, you may be eligible for compensation if you and your employer were legally covered by workers’ compensation insurance at the time of your injury. State law notes that compensation for disability or death cannot exceed your average weekly wages, or a total of $396.78 – whichever amount is greater.

 

If your injury causes you temporary or permanent partial disability, you may be able to claim disability benefits for up to 500 weeks. If you require ongoing compensation, you may also petition the Mayor of Washington, DC, for an extension of up to 167 weeks, provided that you do so within 60 days of the expiry period of your compensatory period. Moreover, the DC Workers’ Compensation Act grants you up to three years after your non-scheduled benefits have been terminated to reopen your case if your condition worsens. 

Are there caps on damages in Washington D.C.?

Washington D.C. does not impose a cap or limit on the amount of economic or non-economic damages you can recover in a personal injury case, including construction accidents. However, it’s important to note that punitive damages, which are rare, may be subject to limitations based on judicial discretion. To get the most current and relevant information, consulting a construction accident law firm like Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Attorneys is strongly advised.

Let Regan Zambri Long Secure Justice for Your Construction Accident

Construction accidents in Washington D.C. can lead to a myriad of challenges, both financially and emotionally. Thankfully, victims have various avenues for recovering damages to ease this burden. Economic damages cover tangible losses such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost income. Non-economic damages account for the more subjective suffering, like emotional distress and pain. In rare cases, punitive damages can be sought to penalize particularly reckless behavior by the responsible party.

Navigating this complicated landscape requires specialized expertise, which is where Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Attorneys come into play. As a leading construction injury law firm in Washington D.C., our team is adept at ensuring you fully understand your rights and the types of damages you may be eligible for. From initial case assessment to the intricacies of the claim process, our legal support is tailored to help you recover the maximum compensation possible. We have won over $1 billion in multi-million dollar settlements for our clients to date, and we are ready to work tirelessly to achieve similar results for you.

If you’ve been injured in a construction accident and are uncertain about the types of DC construction accident damages you can recover, don’t leave it to chance. Take action now by reaching out to Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Lawyers for a comprehensive consultation. We’re here to guide you through this difficult time, ensuring you’re equipped to make informed decisions about your future.

Our DC Construction Accident Attorneys Will Fight on Your Behalf

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Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

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