Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation: What Injured Workers Need to Know

The majority of Rhode Island employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. This system is designed to protect workers and give them a streamlined way of seeking compensation if they are injured in the workplace. If you were injured in the workplace, here is a basic breakdown of what you should know about workers’ compensation laws in Rhode Island.

What Is Workers’ Comp?

The Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation System is a type of no fault insurance specifically meant to offer assistance to employees who were injured at work and compensate them for lost wages and/or medical expenses related to the workplace injury. The majority of employers who have one or more workers are required by Rhode Island law to purchase appropriate workers’ compensation insurance that covers employee accidents in the workplace. There are exemptions, including but not limited to partners, sole proprietors, and certain agricultural and domestic service employees. Municipal employees are covered only if the municipality they work for has selected to be covered. 

Covered employees who are injured while doing their job on the work site or who contract an illness from their working conditions may be able to collect benefits under workers’ compensation. 

What Workers’ Compensation Insurance Covers In Rhode Island

Workers’ compensation insurance coverage in Rhode Island officially begins on the fourth day from the date that you were injured. Below are areas that are covered by this form of insurance:

• Medical bills due to the injury: Treatment for your work-related injuries may be covered by workers’ comp
• Ongoing care: If you require additional treatment for your injury(s), such as physical therapy or surgery, it is covered.
• Rehabilitation services: Any rehabilitation services necessary to help you return to work are covered under workers’ comp. This includes but is not limited to physical, psychological, and vocational rehabilitation.
• Total disability: If your injuries render you unable to return to any kind of employment than you may be eligible to collect total disability
• Partial disability: If you are unable to return to work but are not completely disable, you may be eligible to collect partial disability
• Death benefits: In cases of a workers’ death, death benefits can be paid to surviving dependents or spouses

How To Report A Workplace Injury

If you are injured on the job, then you should seek immediate medical care. Your illness or injury is also required to be reported to the employer’s workers’ compensation representative or HR department. The employer is required to report the injury to their workers’ compensation carrier within ten days of the illness or injury. Then, the responsibility falls on the insurance company for reporting the injury and determining if the illness or injury is covered under their policy. If the injury is fatal, employers must report it within 48 hours of the injury happening. If they report it late or do not report it at all, employers face a $250 fine.

Contact Us Today

If you were injured in a workplace injury, having an experienced workers’ comp lawyer on your side to help you navigate the system will optimize your chances of being compensated appropriately. Call Tapalian Law to consult with an experienced Rhode Island workers’ comp attorney today.