The Compensation Review Board (CRB), in accordance with Administrative Policy Issuance No. 05-01 (February 5, 2005)*, replaces the Office of the Director in providing administrative appellate review and disposition of workers’ and disability compensation claims arising under the DC Workers’ Compensation Act of 1979 (private sector) and the DC Government Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act of 1978 (public sector).  The CRB provides appellate review of Compensation Orders and other final Orders from the Administrative Hearings Division (AHD) and from the Office of Workers’ Compensation (OWC).  The CRB is comprised of one Chief Administrative Appeals Judge and four Administrative Appeals Judges (AAJ).

A party wishing to file an appeal must file an original and three (3) copies of an Application or Petition for Review with the CRB and send copies to the opposing party.  If a party also wishes to file a memorandum supporting the appeal, a party must file three (3) copies of the memorandum along with the Application or Petition for Review.  The party opposing the appeal may file an opposition within fifteen (15) days of the filing date of the Application or Petition for Review.  Within seven (7) days after the appeal is perfected, the Chief Administrative Appeals Judge assigns the appeal to a three-judge appellate Review Panel for disposition.  The decisions of the CRB are based upon the evidence submitted to the AHD or to the OWC.  The CRB does not accept additional evidence.  After a review of the application, the memoranda and the evidence, the Review Panel issues a decision, based upon a majority vote, on behalf of the CRB.

If a party is dissatisfied with a final decision issued by the CRB, the party may file an appeal with the DC Court of Appeals within 30 calendar days of the date the CRB decision is issued.

Compensation Review Board Information 

• Administration Policy Issuance No. 05-01 (February 5, 2005)*
• Compensation Review Board Decisions (from March 2005 to present)
• Policy on Attorney Fees in DC Workers' Compensation Cases (May 12, 2005)*
• Notice of Final Rulemaking (December 23, 2005)*