Rhode Island General Laws Title 28. Labor and Labor Relations § 28-35-17. Notice and conduct of hearings

(a) Upon the filing of any petition the court shall assign the matter to a judge. The court shall issue notice at that time, advising the parties of the judge to whom the case has been assigned and the date for pretrial conference in accordance with § 28-35-20.

(b) Upon filing of any claim for a trial, following the pretrial conference held in accordance with § 28-35-20, the judge shall fix a time for trial and give notice of it in accordance with the rules of practice promulgated by the court but the initial hearing shall be fixed not later than thirty (30) days next after filing the claim for a trial. The court shall cause notice of the trial to be given to each interested party in accordance with the rules of practice promulgated by the court. The judge shall proceed to hear the matter as the justice of the case may require, and may allow amendments to the petition and the answer at any stage of the proceedings. Hearings may be adjourned from time to time for just and sufficient cause, and hearings may be held at the places that the workers' compensation court shall designate.