R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-35-41
For all injuries occurring on or before February 28, 1986, within twenty-one (21) days after the employer has notice of an injury or death as provided in chapters 29 -- 38, of this title and has received the initial medical report referred to in § 28-33-8 , the employer or employer's insurer shall either immediately begin the payment of compensation, or advise the director and the employee or his or her representative that the right to benefits under those chapters is controverted. In the event that the employer or his or her insurer does not immediately begin the payment of compensation to the employee, or does not notify the director and the employee that the right to benefits under those chapters is controverted, within the time prescribed by this section, the employer or employer's insurer may be required to pay to an employee who successfully prosecutes a petition for workers' compensation an additional fifty dollars ($50.00), which is to be awarded to that employee by the workers' compensation court in its discretion and added to his or her first week's compensation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-35-41