Rhode Island Mediation Program; 3 States Increase Mileage Rate Reimbursement

RHODE ISLAND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COURT MEDIATION PROGRAM

The Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Court has announced changes to their Mediation Program under Administrative Order #2022-05.

To be eligible for mediation:

• If the matter is NOT currently in litigation, the employer (with the employee’s consent) or the employee (with the employer’s consent) can file a Petition for Mediation and the Chief Judge will decide to whom it will be assigned.
• If a matter is in litigation, a Petition for Mediation cannot be filed; instead the hearing judge will refer the matter to mediation if the parties request that it be done.
• There must be no companion case actively pending before the Court (aside from the workers’ compensation case); and
• A stipulation must be submitted, with the petition for mediation, signed by a representative of the employee and the employer consenting to mediation.

*Mediators will be retired or currently sitting Workers’ Compensation Court judges designated by the Chief Judge of the Workers’ Compensation Court or an attorney appointed by the Chief Judge.

*Any statements made as well as any documents submitted during the mediation process shall be confidential.

*If you have a workers’ compensation matter currently pending in Rhode Island and would like to discuss the possibility of mediation, please feel free to contact one of our attorneys:

Karen Finley…………………[email protected]
Christopher Fiore…………[email protected]
James Hornstein…………[email protected]
Courtney Manchester……[email protected]

Please find Administrative Order # 2022-05 with the forms included concerning the WCC Mediation Program here.

News from
other states:

New Hampshire, Vermont & Connecticut have followed the IRS and increased their reimbursement rates for employees’ travel to $.625 per mile effective July 1, 2022.

Please find some helpful information to assist you:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-increases-mileage-rate-for-remainder-of-2022

https://www.nh.gov/labor/workers-comp/adjusting-tools.htm

https://labor.vermont.gov/document/mileage-and-meal-rates

https://portal.ct.gov/WCC/Home-News/Workers-Compensation-News/2022/Mileage-Reimbursement-Rate-Rises-July#:~:text=The%20mileage%20reimbursement%20rate%20for,of%20the%20Workers’%20Compensation%20Act.

We will be offering a webinar replay of our
Massachusetts Basics of Workers’ Compensation Practice and Procedure

Tuesday, November 15, 2022
10:00 am to 1:00 pm EST

Click here to register