Limits the recovery for personal injuries actions against any town to $3,000 retroactive to all causes of action arising after January 1, 2026, and prohibits the use of subsequent remedial measures in roadway/highway defect cases.

Summary of Rhode Island House Bill

This bill would make two significant changes to how personal injury lawsuits against towns in Rhode Island are handled. First, it would cap the maximum amount of money any person could receive from a town in a personal injury lawsuit at $3,000. This limit would apply retroactively, meaning it would cover any injury that occurred after January 1, 2026, even if the lawsuit was filed before this bill became law. Second, it would prevent injured people from using evidence that a town later fixed a road or highway problem as proof that the town was originally at fault for the dangerous condition.

The bill would most directly affect Rhode Island residents who are injured due to problems with town-maintained roads, sidewalks, or other public property. Under current law, injured people can sue a town and potentially recover larger amounts to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. If this bill passes, the most anyone could recover — no matter how serious their injury — would be $3,000. For context, even a brief emergency room visit can cost far more than that amount.

Towns and municipal governments in Rhode Island would benefit from this legislation, as it would significantly limit their financial liability for personal injury claims. Taxpayers might see some protection from large lawsuit payouts from town budgets, but individuals who suffer serious injuries on poorly maintained public roads or property would have very limited legal recourse to cover their actual costs.

The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee and has been recommended for further study, meaning it has not advanced at this time.