R.I. Gen. Laws § 10-7.1-5: Damages not to estate or asset of estate.

All damages recoverable under §§ 10-7.1-1 — 10-7.1-4 shall be recoverable by and awarded to those beneficiaries as specified in § 10-7.1-2 and shall not be deemed or considered damages to the estate of the decedent, nor shall they be considered in any way an asset of the estate of the decedent, nor liable to any claims against the estate of the decedent.