Therefore, instead of having to show that someone negligently caused their injuries as a prerequisite to recovery, injured workers need only show that they were hurt at work.  No fault need be shown. Each state has different rules and features of their workers’ compensation system, and how long you can collect, what you can collect, and what you are entitled to various on a state-to-state basis.  You are best served by consulting with a local workers’ compensation attorney to better understand your rights.

In addition to your weekly benefit check, workers’ compensation will pay for all medical treatment, devices, and prescriptions which are reasonable and necessary to treat you.  This can include doctor’s visits, physical therapy, injections, MRI or other imaging studies/tests, surgery, etc.

There are also additional specific amounts of money that you may be entitled to under the Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation system for scarring/disfigurement related to the injury or surgery for the injury, as well as for “loss of use” or “permanency rating” if there are permanent injuries. You may also receive mileage reimbursement for certain trips to doctor’s/therapy appointments.

There are more exceptional cases where an employee may be deemed “total” in terms of their disability from working.  The significance of being “total” in terms of how long you may remain out on workers’ compensation is that there is no time limit for those who are totally disabled.  A better way of putting this is to say that the six (6) year (312 week) clock for collecting workers’ compensation is not ticking while the employee is “totally disabled” as a result of the work injury. 

“Total” cases are exceptional, difficult to prove, and fiercely contested, however, they tend to have significant settlement value, the reason being that the employer/insurer could theoretically have to pay weekly benefits for the rest of the employee’s natural life – which amounts to significant potential exposure.

Once you do this, and the judge approves the settlement, the judge will typically enter a court order right then and there approving the settlement before you leave. It is from that point that the employer/insurance company has fourteen (14) days to pay you your settlement money. Typically, the insurer will send one check directly to you for your net settlement amount, and send a second check directly to your attorney for the attorney’s fee.