Rhode Island Personal Injury Laws

When the responsible party fraudulently conceals the cause of action by actual misrepresentation, the statute does not begin running until the plaintiff discovers the claim.

If the injured person is a minor, the statute of limitations is tolled until they reach the age of 21.

Wrongful death actions must be filed within 3 years of the death. The personal representative has 6 months to file; after that, beneficiaries may file directly.

Rhode Island does not impose a statutory cap on compensatory damages in personal injury cases.

Rhode Island allows punitive damages in cases of willful, wanton, or malicious conduct. There is no statutory cap, but awards must be proportional to the wrongdoing.

Rhode Island maintains joint and several liability for joint tortfeasors. A plaintiff can recover 100% of damages from any tortfeasor who contributed to the injury, regardless of that tortfeasor's percentage of fault.

When the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another causes death, the personal representative or beneficiaries may bring an action for damages including pain and suffering of the decedent and loss to the beneficiaries.