R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-36-10: Liability of noncomplying employers.

Any employer subject to chapters 29 — 38 of this title who or that fails to comply with this chapter, and any employer who or that has elected to become subject to chapters 29 — 38 of this title in accordance with §§ 28-29-6 and 28-29-8, who or that fails to comply with this chapter within ten (10) days after that election, shall be liable for compensation to any injured employee or his or her dependents according to chapters 29 — 38 of this title, or for damages in the same manner as if the employer had not elected to become subject to, or was not subject to, those chapters, at the option of the employee or his or her dependents; provided, that the option shall be exercised and notice of it in writing given to the employer within ninety (90) days after the injury to the employee. The employer shall otherwise be liable only for the compensation payable under those chapters by employers subject to or who have elected to become subject to those chapters.