Rhode Island General Laws 9-21-10. Interest in civil actions
(a) In any civil action in which a verdict is rendered or a decision made for pecuniary damages, there shall be added by the clerk of the court to the amount of damages interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum thereon from the date the cause of action accrued, which shall be included in the judgment entered therein. Post-judgment interest shall be calculated at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum and accrue on both the principal amount of the judgment and the prejudgment interest entered therein. This section shall not apply until entry of judgment or to any contractual obligation where interest is already provided.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 9-21-10
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
- Verdict: The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply in any action filed on or after January 1, 1987, for personal injury or wrongful death filed against a licensed physician, hospital, clinic, health maintenance organization, professional service corporation providing health care services, dentist, or dental hygienist based on professional negligence. In all such medical malpractice actions in which a verdict is rendered or a decision made for pecuniary damages, there shall be added by the clerk of the court to the amount of damages interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum thereon from the date of written notice of the claim by the claimant or his or her representative to the malpractice liability insurer, or to the medical or dental health care provider or the filing of the civil action, whichever first occurs.
History of Section.
P.L. 1958, ch. 126, § 1; P.L. 1965, ch. 55, § 36; P.L. 1966, ch. 1, § 10; P.L. 1970, ch. 184, § 1; P.L. 1975, ch. 144, § 1; P.L. 1976, ch. 146, § 1; P.L. 1977, ch. 10, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 350, § 8; P.L. 1989, ch. 555, § 2.