What is the statute of limitations for premises liability in Rhode Island?

3-year general personal injury statute applies. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14)

Rhode Island law

Premises Liability Laws in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island premises liability follows traditional invitee/licensee/trespasser categories. Landowners owe invitees a duty of reasonable care; licensees a duty to warn of known dangers; trespassers a duty to avoid willful or wanton conduct. Rhode Island's pure comparative fault applies — plaintiff's fault reduces recovery proportionally with no bar. Rhode Island has a Recreational Use Immunity statute. Rhode Island dog-bite liability follows the statutory "safekeeping" rule (§ 4-13-16) with strict liability for certain attacks.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Statute of Limitations

3 yearsR.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14

3-year general personal injury statute applies.

State law

Fault & Liability Rules

Pure Comparative FaultR.I. Gen. Laws § 9-20-4

Plaintiff's fault reduces recovery proportionally. No bar even at high plaintiff fault percentages — Rhode Island follows pure comparative fault.

State law

Key Rhode Island Statutes

Invitee DutyRhode Island common law

Landowners owe invitees (business visitors) a duty of reasonable care, including inspection and warning.

Dog BiteR.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-16

Rhode Island imposes strict liability on dog owners for injuries their dog causes while outside the owner's enclosure (or within the enclosure if the dog has demonstrated vicious propensities). Inside the owner's enclosure, the one-bite rule applies.

Recreational Use ImmunityR.I. Gen. Laws § 32-6-1 et seq.

Landowners who permit free recreational use of their land owe no duty of care and are not liable absent willful or wanton misconduct.

Duty to TrespassersRhode Island common law

Trespassers are owed only a duty to avoid willful or wanton injury. Attractive-nuisance doctrine applies to trespassing children.

State law

Official Sources

Rhode Island General Assembly

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.

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Premises Liability Laws in Rhode Island.

Statute of Limitations

Fault & Liability Rules

Key Rhode Island Statutes

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

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