Governor Signs Bill Limiting Payouts From Uninsured Fund

Thursday, July 5, 2018 | 0

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo has signed into law a bill that limits the amount that injured workers and their dependents could receive from the state's uninsured employer fund.

Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee

House Bill 8215, introduced by Democratic state Reps. Robert Craven and Carol Hagan McEntee, took effect this week. It passed the Senate last week and was sent to the governor on Friday.

It renames the fund as the Rhode Island Uninsured Protection Fund and limits benefit payments to a total of $50,000, plus attorneys' fees related to the claim. The employer will also be required to reimburse the fund for benefits paid to workers, and for attorneys' fees.

The law also allows corporate officers and managers who have claimed their right to legal action to later waive the right by filing a notice with the employer and its workers' compensation carrier. It also expands the size of the state Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, from 16 to 17 members.