Federal & State Regulations | Workers’ compensation - Rhode Island

State Info

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

There is no federal workers’ compensation requirement for most private employers.

Insurance requirement: Competitive state fund or self-insurance by private carrier, individual employers, and groups of employers.

Exemptions from WC: Licensed real estate brokers or salespersons, or licensed or certified real estate appraisers are exempt if substantially all remuneration for services performed is directly related to sales or other output rather than the number of hours worked. Agricultural employers are exempt but may secure coverage voluntarily.

Medical benefits provided: Full.

Physician selection: Employee selects physician.

Benefits for temporary total disability (TTD): 75 percent of worker’s spendable earnings for duration of disability. Additional $9 for each dependent, including a non-working spouse, aggregate not to exceed 80 percent of worker’s average weekly wage.

Benefits for permanent total disability (PTD): 75 percent of worker’s spendable earnings for duration of disability. Additional $9 for each dependent, including a non-working spouse, aggregate not to exceed 80 percent of worker’s average weekly wage.

Benefits for permanent partial disability (PPD): 75 percent of worker’s spendable earnings for up to 312 weeks.

Scheduled awards: Scheduled awards are paid in addition to and concurrently with TTD benefits. Awards are not reduced because of receipt of TTD benefits.

Disfigurement benefits: Proper and equitable compensation determined by the Workers’ Compensation Commission for up to 500 weeks is paid for permanent bodily disfigurement.

Death benefits for surviving spouse and children: Spouse alone receives 75 percent spendable earnings and spouse with children receive 80 percent of employee’s wage for the period of widow/widowerhood; children until 18. Children receive benefits beyond age 18 if disabled, or until age 23 if full-time students.

Maximum burial allowance: $15,000.

Waiting period: 3 days, total disability only. No retroactive compensation. Compensation begins on the 4^th day after the injury.

Rehabilitation: Both vocational rehabilitation (VR) and physical rehabilitation (PR) are covered. Employer is responsible for VR costs including board, lodging, and travel. Employers must contribute to Rehab Center Fund and submit a rehab evaluation to the Director of Labor after 3 months of compensation. Employees must accept physical and vocational rehabilitation or compensation may be suspended. During VR employees receive TTD or PPD plus board, lodging, and travel if away from home.

Attorney fees: Determined on an individual case basis.

Occupational hearing loss statutes: Employee has 2 years from date of discovery to file for compensation. Compensation for one ear is a minimum of $3,375, maximum of $6,750; for two ears a minimum of $6,750, maximum of $13,500. There is a deduction for preexisting loss.

Forms: www.dlt.ri.gov/wc/formsEmployer.htm