1. Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd.
Focus Area: Medical Malpractice and Catastrophic Personal Injury
Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice, Birth Injuries, Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death, Product Liability, Premises Liability, Liquor Liability, Crime Victim Representation
Background: This firm has earned more million-dollar and ten-million-dollar verdicts than any other law firm in Rhode Island. Attorneys Mark Mandell, Yvette Boisclair, and Zachary Mandell lead the practice. Mark Mandell is triple board certified in Civil Trial Practice, Medical Professional Liability, and Civil Pretrial Practice. The firm includes a registered nurse on staff for medical case assessment. They represented victims of the Station Nightclub fire that resulted in 100 deaths. Recognized by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year in Providence for medical malpractice, personal injury, and product liability.
Location: 1 Park Row, 2nd Floor, Providence, RI 02903
Contact: (401) 273-8330 | https://www.mbmjustice.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available. Will travel to clients who cannot visit the office. Contingency fee arrangement.
2. Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd.
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Accident Cases
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Birth Injuries, Nursing Home Abuse, Slip and Fall, Dog Bites, Workers’ Compensation, Wrongful Death
Background: This family-run personal injury law firm has served Rhode Island for over 50 years. The practice is limited exclusively to personal injury law. Six practicing attorneys are on staff, and all have been named Super Lawyers or Rising Stars by Super Lawyers Magazine. Founder Ronald J. Resmini holds the highest possible Martindale-Hubbell rating and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The firm maintains offices in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Location: 365 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903
Contact: (401) 751-8855 | https://www.resminilawoffices.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. No fee unless case is won.
3. Rob Levine & Associates (Rob Levine Law)
Focus Area: Personal Injury, Social Security Disability, and Veterans Disability
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Slip and Fall, Medical Malpractice, Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability, Veterans Disability Claims
Background: Rob Levine is a U.S. Army veteran and former police officer with over 25 years of experience as an advocate for injured and disabled individuals. Known as “The Heavy Hitter,” his firm has helped over 50,000 clients and recovered over $2 billion in compensation. The firm operates 16 office locations throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. The Providence office serves as headquarters for regional operations.
Location: 1 Park Row, Suite 501, Providence, RI 02903
Contact: (401) 529-3613 | https://roblevine.com
Consultation: Free consultation. No fee unless you win your case.
4. Murphy & Fay, LLP
Focus Area: Personal Injury Litigation
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Truck Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Negligence, Construction Accidents, Premises Liability, Product Liability, Slip and Fall, Workers’ Compensation, Wrongful Death
Background: Attorney Mark A. Fay spent more than a decade representing insurance companies in personal injury litigation before switching to plaintiff representation, providing the firm unique insight into defense strategies. The firm has demonstrated skill in both state and federal courts throughout Rhode Island. With offices in Providence, West Warwick, and South Kingstown, the firm provides accessible representation across the state.
Location: 2 Charles Street, Providence, RI 02904
Contact: (401) 490-3200 | https://www.murphyandfay.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Attorneys will visit homes or hospitals for clients unable to travel.
5. Marasco & Nesselbush Law Firm
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Truck Accidents, Rideshare Accidents, Bicycle Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Drunk Driving Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Birth Injuries, Medication Errors, Wrongful Death, Dog Bites, Slip and Fall, Product Liability
Background: Serving Rhode Island for more than 25 years, this firm has built its reputation on handling complex injury cases. The practice emphasizes treating each client with dignity and respect while pursuing favorable resolutions. Offices are located in Providence, Wakefield, Warwick, Woonsocket, East Providence, and Quincy, Massachusetts, providing comprehensive coverage throughout the region.
Location: 685 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903
Contact: (401) 274-7400 | https://www.m-n-law.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee arrangement.
Personal Injury Laws in Rhode Island
Statute of Limitations
Rhode Island General Laws Section 9-1-14(b) establishes a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. The clock typically begins on the date of injury. Wrongful death claims must also be filed within three years, measured from the date of death rather than the date of injury.
Medical malpractice claims follow the same three-year deadline but include a discovery rule. If an injury could not reasonably have been discovered at the time of the incident, the three-year period begins when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered through reasonable diligence.
For minors, the statute of limitations is tolled until they reach age 18. After turning 18, the injured person has until age 21 to file a claim if their parent or guardian did not file previously.
Claims against towns or cities require written notice to the town or city council before filing a lawsuit. The council then has 40 days to resolve the claim. Injuries on highways, causeways, or bridges maintained by a town require written notice within 60 days of the injury.
Negligence Rules
Rhode Island follows a “pure comparative negligence” system. Under this rule, an injured party can recover damages even if they bear significant responsibility for the accident. The damages award is reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault.
For example, if a plaintiff is found 60% at fault for an accident with total damages of $100,000, they would still recover $40,000 (the damages reduced by their 60% share of fault). The only complete bar to recovery is being found 100% responsible for the accident.
Damage Caps
Rhode Island is among the minority of states with no statutory caps on monetary damages in tort cases. There is no maximum limit on the amount a plaintiff can recover in personal injury or medical malpractice cases.
However, two limitations apply. First, in personal injury lawsuits against the State of Rhode Island, its political subdivisions, cities, or towns, recovery is limited to $100,000 under R.I. Gen. Laws Sections 9-31-2, 9-31-3, and 45-15-12. Second, plaintiffs in wrongful death cases cannot recover punitive damages under Rhode Island law.
Rhode Island law does impose a strict liability rule for dog bites. Under R.I. Gen. Laws Section 4-13-16, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs when the attack occurs outside the owner’s enclosed area. For repeat offenses, the law doubles the damages awarded.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Rhode Island requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage of 25/50/25. This breaks down as $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident for all persons, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.
Alternatively, drivers may purchase a combined single limit policy of at least $75,000, which covers any combination of bodily injuries and property damage up to the total limit.
Rhode Island operates as an at-fault (tort) state. The driver responsible for causing an accident is liable for damages to injured parties. Victims may file claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance or pursue a lawsuit for compensation.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage becomes required when bodily injury limits exceed the 25/50 minimums. Rhode Island has one of the higher percentages of uninsured drivers in the nation (approximately 16.5%), making UM/UIM coverage particularly important.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I am injured by an uninsured driver in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has one of the highest rates of uninsured motorists in the country, with approximately 16.5% of drivers lacking required coverage. If injured by an uninsured driver, victims have two primary options. First, they may file a claim under their own uninsured motorist policy if they carry this coverage. Second, they may pursue a direct lawsuit against the uninsured driver personally. However, collecting from an uninsured individual often proves difficult if they lack assets. Rhode Island law requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage when issuing policies, though coverage above minimums becomes mandatory only when bodily injury limits exceed 25/50.
How does Rhode Island’s pure comparative negligence affect my ability to recover damages if I was partially at fault?
Rhode Island’s pure comparative negligence rule allows recovery even when the injured party bears substantial fault. Unlike modified comparative negligence states that bar recovery when fault exceeds 50% or 51%, Rhode Island permits recovery at any fault level below 100%. This means a plaintiff found 80% responsible can still recover 20% of their damages. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys often attempt to assign higher fault percentages to reduce settlement values, making accurate documentation and skilled legal representation important for protecting recovery amounts.
What additional steps are required to sue a city or town in Rhode Island for injuries caused by poor road conditions?
Claims against Rhode Island municipalities require specific pre-lawsuit procedures. Before filing suit, injured parties must submit a written account of their claim to the town or city council, including a description of how the incident occurred. The municipality then has 40 days to resolve the claim. If no resolution occurs, a lawsuit may proceed. For injuries on highways, causeways, or bridges maintained by a town, written notice must be provided to the town council within 60 days of the injury. Additionally, recovery against municipalities is capped at $100,000 regardless of actual damages. These requirements are strictly enforced, and missing deadlines can permanently bar claims.
Can I recover compensation for injuries suffered at a bar or restaurant due to an intoxicated patron in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island recognizes liquor liability claims against establishments that over-serve alcohol to patrons who subsequently cause injury. These dram shop claims require proving that the establishment negligently served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor, and that this service contributed to the injury-causing incident. Rhode Island courts have awarded substantial verdicts in liquor liability cases, including those involving negligent service leading to drunk driving accidents. Both the intoxicated individual and the serving establishment may be held liable, potentially providing multiple sources of compensation.
What compensation is available for boating accidents that occur in Narragansett Bay or other Rhode Island waters?
Rhode Island’s extensive coastline and waterways create exposure to recreational and commercial boating accidents. These cases may involve maritime law, which introduces federal jurisdiction and specific legal standards. Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Boating accident claims may proceed against boat operators, boat owners, equipment manufacturers, tour operators, or government entities responsible for waterway maintenance. Coast Guard reports and accident investigations often provide important documentation. Time limits may differ under maritime law, with some claims subject to a three-year federal statute of limitations rather than state deadlines.