Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority v. District of Columbia Department of Employment Services

# Court Ruling Summary: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority v. DC Department of Employment Services ## What Happened A worker injured while employed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority received a schedule award—a one-time payment for permanent partial disability from their injury. The worker then sought additional temporary total disability benefits (payments for time unable to work) for the same injury. A review board initially approved these extra benefits, but the transit authority appealed. ## What the Court Decided The court sided with the transit authority. It ruled that workers generally cannot receive both a schedule award and temporary total disability benefits for the same injury. The court stated that only in extreme circumstances—such as amputation—would a worker qualify for both types of payments. ## Why This Matters for Workers This ruling limits injury compensation options. Workers who accept a one-time schedule award for permanent partial disability may lose the ability to claim ongoing temporary disability payments later. This could significantly reduce total compensation for the same workplace injury, particularly for serious but non-amputation injuries.