Only workers hired by nine Welch subcontractors who performed work on at least one of six covered DC projects can receive payment. There is no open claim form for other workers to file. Misclassification means treating employees as independent contractors. The District alleged the practice denied minimum wage, overtime and sick leave.
Official resources:
- Read the official notice from Dc — Use this primary source to verify the official announcement.
- Read the official guidance from Dc — Use this primary source to verify the official guidance.
Table of Contents
- Which workers qualify?
- What did the case allege?
- How much can eligible workers receive?
- How do workers get paid without a claim form?
Which workers qualify?
You qualify only if both links fit. You were hired by one of nine Welch subcontractors.
You performed work on at least one of six covered DC projects. City Ridge on Wisconsin Avenue NW is the largest covered site. OpenClassActions reporting on the consent order identifies the nine-subcontractor and six-project test in its summary of the consent order.
- Hired by a listed Welch subcontractor, not directly by another contractor
- Worked on a covered DC site during the covered period
- Included on the District-prepared claimant list
What did the case allege?
The 2024 suit named Welch, Whiting-Turner and three labor brokers. It alleged they misclassified hundreds of employees as independent contractors.
That label mattered for pay. Employees lost minimum wage, overtime and sick leave protections. Contractors lowered labor costs on major DC construction work.
How much can eligible workers receive?
About 500 harmed construction workers share $691,450. Each claimant receives $1,100 from the misclassification share plus added pay for unpaid wages and leave where owed, according to the DC Office of the Attorney General in the Attorney General's settlement announcement. The total settlement is up to $1,706,450.
The rest covers penalties, costs and other relief sought by the District. City Ridge accounts for more than 250 affected workers. Welch performed HVAC, plumbing-pipe and fixture, and sheet-metal work there on contracts worth tens of millions.
How do workers get paid without a claim form?
There is no public claim form or settlement website. The District submits the claimant list within 7 days of entry, and the administrator contacts listed workers by phone, mail or email, as stated in the filed consent order. Workers not on that District-prepared list cannot self-enroll through a public form.
No claim deadline or payment date had been announced as of Oct. 13, 2026. Listed workers should watch for the administrator notice within 60 days after entry. Keep phone, mail and email records current, and respond quickly to verify identity and work history.