PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Governor Gina M. Raimondo today swore-in Judge Robert Ferrieri, the new Chief Judge of the state Workers' Compensation Court.
"Judge Ferrieri brings excellent experience and knowledge from his eight years on the bench," Raimondo said. "I am confident that as Chief Judge, he will continue to make our Workers' Compensation Court a national model."
"I am extremely honored to have been chosen to serve as Chief Judge," Ferrieri said. "I would like to thank Governor Raimondo for giving me this opportunity to further serve the Workers' Compensation Court."
Judge Ferrieri has served on the bench of the Workers' Compensation Court since 2008. During his tenure, he has taken time to educate high school students about working safely and to speak to other attorneys about workers' compensation issues. Previously he was a partner at Lombardi & Ferrieri, P.C. He is also an adjunct professor at Roger Williams University and the Community College of Rhode Island. He is a graduate of La Salle Academy, Providence College and Suffolk University School of Law. He lives in Johnston with his wife and two children.
Judge Ferrieri will replace the outgoing Chief Judge George E. Healy, who retired last July after 25 years of service.
"I would like to thank Judge Healy for his dedicated service on the Workers' Compensation Court," Raimondo said. "He joined the Court when it was first created in 1991, when the workers' compensation system was near collapse. Over the years, he helped to lead reforms that reduced average claim costs without cutting benefits. Thanks to his service, the Court can more effectively and more efficiently serve Rhode Island workers who are injured on the job. I wish him all the best in retirement."
Workers' Compensation Court has jurisdiction over employers and employees relative to work-related injuries, whether traumatic or occupational in nature, and resolves disputes regarding workers' compensation. It is comprised of one Chief Judge and nine Associate Judges.
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