AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- DECISIONS, SPECIAL FINDINGS AND ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES

HB 5910 adds the "assumption of risk" doctrine to Rhode Island's comparative negligence law. It affects people involved in personal injury or property damage lawsuits by allowing courts to reduce compensation if the injured party knowingly accepted a risk. The bill specifies that damages must be reduced proportionally if the court finds the injured person assumed the risk, or if the danger was open and obvious. This change modifies how negligence cases are evaluated but does not prevent claims from being filed. The law would take effect immediately upon passage.