§ 12-25-23 — § 12-25-23. Terms of the award.

§ 12-25-23. Terms of the award.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any award of compensation under this chapter may be made on terms that the office deems appropriate.

(b) The Criminal Injuries Compensation Act shall be regarded as a fund of last resort. Accordingly, the office shall deduct from any payments awarded under this chapter any payments received by the victim or by any of his or her dependents from the offender or from any person on behalf of the offender, or from the United States (except those received under this chapter), the state of Rhode Island or any state or any of its subdivisions, or from any insurance carrier, for personal injury or death compensable under this chapter, including lost wages, but only to the extent that the sum of the payments and any award under this chapter are in excess of the total compensable injuries suffered by the victim as determined by the office.

(c) Any person who: (1) submits a false or fraudulent application; (2) intentionally makes or causes to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact in relation to any claim pending before the office; or (3) intentionally conceals or fails to disclose information affecting the amount or the initial or continued right to any award; shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both.

Legislative History

P.L. 1996, ch. 434, § 3; P.L. 1999, ch. 125, § 2; P.L. 1999, ch. 128, § 2.