Rhode Island

• 3 years with Discovery Rule. (R.I. Gen. Laws §9-1-14 – Limitation of actions for words spoken or personal injuries)

• None.

• 3 years from injury or death with Discovery Rule. (R.I. Gen. Laws §10-7-2)

• Whenever a person or corporation is found liable under the wrongful death act, that party is liable for damages no less than $250,000. (R.I. Gen. Laws §10-7-2)

• Rhode Island Department of Health
• Nursing Homes
• Adult Protective Services
• Department of Elderly Affairs

• Elderly Violence Prevention Act – (R.I. Gen. Laws §§12-29.1-5)
• Citizens’ Commission for Safety and Care of the Elderly – (R.I. Gen. Laws §§12-1.4-10)
• Elderly Affairs Department: Abuse of Elderly Persons – (R.I. Gen. Laws §§42-66-8-11)

• Nursing Home Worker Charged With Raping A Wheelchair-Bound Patient At Rhode Island Facility

Another nursing home employee faces criminal sexual assault charges following the alleged rape of a 56-year-old paraplegic patient at Charlesgate Nursing Center in Rhode Island. According to nursing home administrators, this employee passed a criminal background check prior to his employment. The patient asserts that this was at least the second occasion she was raped by this employee. If this is the case, this facility may open itself to civil liability for inadequately supervising this employee.

Charlesgate owns seven nursing homes, assisted living centers, and independent living centers in Rhode Island.

• Professor Devotes New Book To 'Oscar The Cat'-- The Feline With The Ability To Predict Death

Talk about worthless news stories, here's a news-clip about a Brown University professor who will be releasing a new book devoted to.... a cat.  Not just any alley cat, 'Oscar' allegedly has the ability to predict the impending death of nursing home patients.  Oscar has apparently successfully predicted the impending death of more than 50 patients in a Rhode Island nursing home.  Apparently, when Oscar cuddles up with you, your day may be numbered.

• Health Care Reform Act Allocates Funds For Thorough Background Checks Of Health Care Workers
  

 Six states will be receiving federal grants from the Health Care Reform Act to perform thorough background checks on employees at nursing homes and other facilities that house vulnerable people.

While some states already employ background checks of new employees, the new funding is intended to be more exhaustive that the measures currently in place.  Employees must pass a check of state and federal criminal records, abuse and neglect registries and multiple databases including the Nurse Aide Registry.