2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 28 - Labor and Labor Relations
CHAPTER 28-53 - Rhode Island Uninsured Employers Fund
§ 28-53-9 - Penalties, taxes and assessments against non-complying employers.

SECTION 28-53-9

   § 28-53-9  Penalties, taxes and assessments against non-complying employers. – (a) Where it is determined that an employer has failed to maintain a policy of workers' compensation insurance as required by Rhode Island general laws § 28-36-1 et seq. and that while the employer was uninsured in violation of the statute, an employee suffered a compensable injury, the uninsured employers fund shall commence the payment of weekly benefits and medical expenses necessary to cure, relieve or rehabilitate the employee from the effects of the work related injury to the employee as set forth herein, subject to fund availability. The fund shall acquire a lien against the goods and chattels of the uninsured employer to the extent of any payments made by it to the injured employee. The lien(s) shall arise and attach as of the date on which the fund makes payment to the injured employee without further action by the fund or the court. The lien shall have priority over all subsequently perfected liens and security interests.

   (b) Prior to the lien being filed with the office of the secretary of state, the employer shall be notified by certified mail, return receipt requested that a lien will be filed against all goods situated in the state if the outstanding tax is not paid within seven (7) business days of receipt of the notice.

   (c) The liens shall become perfected at the time when a notice of lien is filed pursuant to the filing provisions of Rhode Island general laws § 6A-9-501. The notice of lien shall include the following:

   (1) The name of the debtor, as governed by Rhode Island general laws § 6A-9-503;

   (2) The name of the director of the department of labor and training as the party claiming the lien; and

   (3) A description of the property so encumbered as governed by the Rhode Island general laws § 6A-9-504.

   (d) The director shall be entitled to effectively file the lien and to amend the lien quarterly as additional payments are made or terminate it as necessary.

   (e) No filing fee shall be charged for the filing of a lien authorized by this section.

   (f) Where the employer is a corporation, the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer of the corporation shall be severally personally liable, jointly with a corporation for any payments made to the injured employee by the fund, and the fund shall acquire a lien against the goods and chattels of said president, vice president, secretary and treasurer to the extent of any payments so made.

   (g) Where the employer is a limited liability company, the managers and managing members shall be severally personally liable, jointly with the limited liability company for any payments made to the injured employee by the fund and the fund shall acquire a lien against the goods and chattels of said manager and managing member to the extent of any payments so made.

   (h) The liens and excise taxes levied against the non-complying party pursuant to this section shall be in addition to any and all other fines, penalties and assessments, to which the party would otherwise be liable in particular the penalties mandated by Rhode Island general laws § 28-36-15.