Rhode Island General Laws 28-35-24. Examination by or opinion of impartial physician
(a) Whenever the testimony presented at any hearing indicates a dispute, or creates doubt, as to the extent, nature, or cause of disability or death, the workers’ compensation court may direct that the injured employee be examined, or may obtain an opinion without examination of an impartial, competent physician designated by the workers’ compensation court who is not under contract with or regularly employed or regularly retained by a compensation insurer or self-insured employer.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 28-35-24
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Employee: means any person who has entered into the employment of or works under contract of service or apprenticeship with any employer, except that in the case of a city or town other than the city of Providence it shall only mean that class or those classes of employees as may be designated by a city, town, or regional school district in a manner provided in this chapter to receive compensation under chapters 29 — 38 of this title. See Rhode Island General Laws 28-29-2
- Physician: means medical doctor, surgeon, dentist, licensed psychologist, chiropractor, osteopath, podiatrist, or optometrist, as the case may be. See Rhode Island General Laws 28-29-2
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
(b) The expense of the examination shall be paid by the employer. The report of the examination shall be transmitted to the workers’ compensation court and a copy of it shall be furnished by the workers’ compensation court to each party who shall have an opportunity to rebut it on further hearing.
History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 300, art. 3, § 3; P.L. 1954, ch. 3297, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 28-35-24; P.L. 1986, ch. 154, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 78, § 6; P.L. 2014, ch. 87, § 6.