How this estimate is built
Your medical expenses and lost wages are your economic damages. We apply the multiplier method, the industry-standard approach, to estimate noneconomic damages — then check whether the government damages cap applies, which depends entirely on who the defendant is.
Pure comparative fault, no bar until 100%
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-20-4, a claimant's own negligence never bars recovery — damages are simply reduced in proportion to the claimant's percentage of fault, no matter how high. Rhode Island also abolished the assumption of risk defense by statute in 2004, and preserves pure joint and several liability, where any defendant can be held responsible for the full judgment regardless of their individual share of fault.
No damages cap against a private defendant
Rhode Island has no statutory cap on economic, noneconomic, or punitive damages against a private defendant — in an ordinary personal injury case or in medical malpractice. A judge or jury is free to award whatever amount it finds appropriate.
A real cap, but only against government
Claims against the state, a city, town, or fire district are capped at $100,000 in total damages under R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 9-31-2 and 9-31-3 — with two exceptions that remove the cap entirely: when the government was engaged in a "proprietary function" (acting like a private business rather than a governmental one), or when the claim involves willful, malicious, or extremely reckless conduct.