rhodeIsland Workers' Compensation: Fast Facts

Coverage Requirements Under Rhode Island State Law

Most Rhode Island businesses with at least one employee must have workers' compensation insurance. See a list of employees automatically exempt from this coverage requirement below.

Work-Related Injury or Illness Reporting Requirements

Tell your employer immediately when you have a work-related injury or illness and seek medical attention. You have the right to choose the first doctor you see to treat your injury or illness. Then your employer must report it to their insurer and the Rhode Island Division of Workers' Compensation within 10 days. Failing to report it to your employer within 30 days could put your Rhode Island workers' comp benefits at risk.

Where to Seek Medical Care

You can see any doctor you choose for your first visit to treat your on-the-job injury or illness. (Do note that going to the nearest ER or hospital for emergency medical care doesn't count.) If you wish to change healthcare providers for ongoing care, however, you'll need written approval from your employer's insurer first.

Waiting Period for Lost-Wage Benefits in Rhode Island

Your first 3 days off are always unpaid. Once you need at least 4 days off work to recover, you'll qualify for partial lost-wage payments. If you don't need 3 days off to recover, then Rhode Island workman's comp insurance only pays your medical bills.

Rhode Island Workers' Compensation Statute of Limitations

You have two years from your work injury or illness diagnosis date to file for Rhode Island workers' compensation.

Rhode Island Weekly Compensation Rate

You can receive 62% of your gross average weekly wage (AWW), subject to the state's maximum and minimum benefit amounts. While you receive TTD benefits, you may also get another $15 per week for every eligible dependent you support financially.

How Long You Can Receive Rhode Island Workers' Comp Benefits

• Medical benefits: until you reach maximum medical improvement; after that, you can receive 12 doctor's visits for palliative care, but your employer's insurer must approve any additional treatment going forward
• Death benefits: up to $20,000 for funeral and burial expenses, plus weekly TTD payments to eligible survivors until the widowed spouse remarries or dies
• Temporary Total Disability (TTD): until you return to work, or negotiate a lump-sum settlement after you receive 6 months of TTD payments
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD):TTD payments for no more than 312 weeks without approval from the DWC or until you get a lump-sum award for permanent disfigurement
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD):TTD payments for no more than 312 weeks without approval from the DWC
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD): TTD payments for the duration of disability, with annual medical exams to confirm continued inability to work

Rhode Island Workers' Comp Coverage Exemptions

The following employees are automatically exempt from Rhode Island workers' compensation coverage requirements:

• Casual workers
• Certain agricultural, domestic, and real estate employees
• Farmers and farm laborers
• Federal employees
• Firefighters
• Independent contractors
• Nursery workers
• Partners
• Police officers
• Sole proprietors

Rhode Island Workers' Compensation Attorney Fees

All Rhode Island workman's comp lawyers work on contingency. This means you only pay legal fees when you win. If you don't win, then you pay your lawyer $0. Rhode Island workers' comp lawyers cannot charge more than 20% of your final award in legal fees.