What does exclusive remedy mean in Rhode Island workers' compensation?

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In Rhode Island, exclusive remedy means that for work-related injuries, the employee’s remedy is limited to workers’ compensation benefits and the employee cannot bring a civil tort claim against the employer for damages arising from the injury. This is why the correct interpretation is that the workers’ compensation system bars suing the employer in tort, focusing instead on medical benefits and wage replacement provided through the workers’ compensation program.

Important context: the exclusive remedy concept does not apply to non-work injuries, and there are limited situations where a worker might pursue a civil action against someone other than the employer (for example, a third party who caused the injury). It also does not mean arbitration is required for disputes; rather, disputes about workers’ compensation benefits are handled within the workers’ compensation framework.