Worker’s compensation will pay you a weekly benefit during times you are unable to work due to your injury. The amount of this benefit is calculated using a statutory formula that is generally based on your earnings during the 13 weeks prior to your injury, your overtime/bonuses for the 52 weeks prior to your injury, and your dependency status (i.e. single/married/children, etc.).
This formula is used to arrive at your “average weekly wage” for workers’ compensation purposes. Your average weekly wage amount is then used to determine your “spendable base wage,” which can be ascertained by using the RI Department of Labor’s spendable base wage tables in effect as of the date of your injury.
What you actually receive in your weekly workers’ compensation check will typically be 75% of your spendable base wage. Although there are exceptions, generally, you may collect for up to 6 years, provided you remain partially disabled from your job as a result of the injury.