If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence in Rhode Island, understanding your legal rights is a critical first step toward justice. This guide covers Rhode Island’s wrongful death laws, profiles three law firms that handle these cases, and answers the most important questions families face.
Introduction
Losing a family member due to another party’s negligence is devastating. Rhode Island provides no caps on wrongful death damages and a 3-year filing window, giving families meaningful legal tools to pursue full compensation.
Rhode Island Wrongful Death Laws
The Rhode Island Wrongful Death Statute
Rhode Island’s wrongful death law is governed by Rhode Island General Laws § 10-7-1. The statute requires the Personal Representative of the deceased’s estate to file the claim.
Who Can File
The Personal Representative of the deceased’s estate must file.
Statute of Limitations
Rhode Island imposes a 3-year statute of limitations, measured from the date of death.
Recoverable Damages
Rhode Island allows recovery for pecuniary loss, loss of companionship, and funeral expenses. There are no caps on wrongful death damages in Rhode Island.
Survival Action
Rhode Island maintains a separate survival action alongside the wrongful death claim.
Top 3 Wrongful Death Attorneys in Rhode Island
1. Decof, Barry, Mega & Quinn, P.C.
Location: Providence, RI
Phone: (401) 272-1110
Website: https://decof.com
Rhode Island’s most prestigious and longest-standing personal injury and wrongful death firm. They are the gold standard for medical malpractice and catastrophic fatal injury in the state. Because RI has no damage caps, their trial lawyers pursue maximum loss of companionship and pecuniary damages without limitation, backed by some of the most thorough expert witness preparation in New England.
2. Marasco & Nesselbush
Location: Providence, RI
Phone: (401) 274-7400
Website: https://mnlawri.com
A highly aggressive trial firm with a specific focus on fatal auto accidents, trucking crashes, and premises liability deaths. They expertly navigate the probate appointment process and deploy investigative resources immediately after being retained. Their track record for maximizing uncapped loss of companionship awards makes them a top choice for surviving families.
3. Motley Rice LLC
Location: Providence, RI (National powerhouse)
Phone: (401) 457-7700
Website: https://motleyrice.com
A national litigation giant with a Rhode Island base. They are particularly powerful in mass disaster, defective product, and pharmaceutical wrongful death litigation. Their virtually unlimited resources make them ideal when a wrongful death involves a large corporate defendant or a complex multi-party claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there caps on damages in Rhode Island?
No. Rhode Island imposes no caps on wrongful death damages.
What should I do immediately after losing a loved one due to negligence?
Contact a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. The 3-year deadline runs from the date of death. Preserve all evidence and do not speak with insurance companies before consulting an attorney.
Closing
Rhode Island’s no caps framework and 3-year filing window provide families with strong legal tools. The firms listed above have the resources to pursue maximum recovery. If you have lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence, contact one of these attorneys today.
For immediate grief support, contact the National Alliance for Grieving Children at (866) 432-1542.