Rhode Island holds property owners, landlords, or businesses liable for slip-and-fall accidents if they knew or should have known of a hazardous condition (like wet floors, ice, or uneven walkways) and failed to fix it or warn others, under premises liability laws.​
Determining Fault
Plaintiffs must prove four elements: duty of care owed, breach via negligence, causation linking the hazard to injury, and actual damages like medical bills or lost wages. The state follows pure comparative negligence, allowing recovery even if the victim is over 50% at fault—e.g., 94% fault yields 6% compensation—unlike stricter modified rules elsewhere. For public sidewalks, municipalities face claims under specific statutes if defects exist, requiring 60-day notice.​
Compensation Availability
Victims can seek damages for pain, suffering, disability, wages, and bills if negligence is established, with property managers or maintenance crews sharing liability. Ice/snow cases follow the “Connecticut Rule,” imposing duties to clear accumulations during storms. Claims have a three-year statute of limitations; prompt evidence like photos strengthens cases.
SOURCES
[1](https://www.ripersonalinjurylaw.com/slip-fall-ri-premises-liability-accident/)
[2](https://aavlawfirm.com/slip-and-fall-accidents-in-ri-whos-liable/)
[3](https://aavlawfirm.com/slip-and-fall-injuries-in-rhode-island-stores-can-you-sue-the-property-owner/)
[4](https://www.robertecravenlaw.com/whos-liable-for-your-injury-on-a-public-sidewalk-in-rhode-island/)
[5](https://www.slepkowlaw.com/slip-fall-articles.htm)
