(a)  A person so injured or damaged shall, within sixty (60) days, give to the town by law obliged to keep the highway, causeway, or bridge in repair, notice of the time, place, and cause of the injury or damage; and if the town does not make just and due satisfaction, within the time prescribed by § 45-15-5, the person shall, within three (3) years after the date of the injury or damage, commence his or her action against the town treasurer for the recovery of damages, and not thereafter.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 45-15-9

  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6
  • town: may be construed to include city; the words "town council" include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9

(b)  The provisions of this section shall take effect May 21, 1982, and be given retroactive effect, as well as prospective effect, and shall apply to all causes of actions arising within three (3) years prior to September 1, 1982.

History of Section.
G.L. 1896, ch. 36, § 16; G.L. 1909, ch. 46, § 16; G.L. 1923, ch. 47, § 17; G.L. 1938, ch. 352, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 45-15-9; P.L. 1982, ch. 388, § 23.