Anne L. MELVIN v. Frank J. KARPINSKI, in His Official Capacity as Executive Director of the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island

The respondent, Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI), sought review by a writ of certiorari of a Workers' Compensation Court (WCC) order denying its motion to dismiss an appeal by the petitioner, Sean M. O'Connell (Mr. O'Connell), of a state retirement board decision denying his request for an accidental disability pension. ERSRI argued, as it had before the WCC, that the WCC lacked subject matter jurisdiction to consider an appeal from a state employee's denial of benefits. This Court concluded that the WCC lacked subject matter jurisdiction to consider Mr. O'Connell's appeal because a state employee's entitlement to benefits is adjudicated pursuant to G.L. 1956 § 36-10-14, which does not contain a provision authorizing appeals to the WCC. Accordingly, the Supreme Court quashed the order of the WCC denying ERSRI's motion to dismiss and remanded the case with instructions that the WCC dismiss Mr. O'Connell's appeal.