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Malpractice Center

Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Providence, RI (2026)

To put together this 2026 ranking, we reviewed the malpractice results Providence firms' publish and what clients say about them, then checked which cases they take and when they started practicing.

Sources checked

5 lawyers and firms

Skyline of Providence, Rhode Island, with a view of Providence River Bridge
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

The substantial malpractice results Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP publishes put it first on this list; reviewers also say they could follow their lawyers' explanations. Before you call, ask who would take your claim, including whether the lawyer would come from this firm or work with an attorney at another one. Ask what you'd pay in fees and case costs, too. The Rhode Island law guide explains the rules for filing a claim.

At a glance

  1. 1Marasco & Nesselbush, LLPFree consultation4.8 out of 5
  2. 2Gemma Law Associates, INCFree consultation4.9 out of 5
  3. 3Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd.Free consultation5.0 out of 5
  4. 4d'Oliveira & Associates, p.c.Free consultation4.9 out of 5
  5. 5Tapalian LawFree consultation4.9 out of 5

Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Providence

  1. Open spot. Feature your firm in ProvidenceFor lawyers
  2. Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP logo1

    Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP

    4.8592 Google reviewsRated 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 592 reviews

    Best for: Serious surgical and diagnostic injuries

    Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP reports $9 million for a case involving complications that started during a standard procedure and continued after the patient left it. In another case, an avoidable amputation followed knee replacement surgery; the firm reports a result of $8.49 million for that patient. Those reported amounts helped determine its place here.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for the results it publishes and its years of experience.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  3. Gemma Law Associates, INC logo2

    Gemma Law Associates, INC

    4.9534 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 534 reviews

    Best for: Wrongful death and postoperative injuries

    Several of Gemma Law Associates, INC's published malpractice cases involved shared responsibility with co-counsel. That includes a $5 million childbirth wrongful death settlement and a $3 million result for permanent injuries after orthopedic surgery. Ask how that arrangement would work for you.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for the recognition it has earned and the results it publishes.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  4. Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. logo3

    Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd.

    5.0363 Google reviewsRated 5.0 out of 5 on Google from 363 reviews

    Best for: Pressure ulcer and birth injury claims

    Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd. reports $2.5 million for injuries directly caused by neglect that left pressure ulcers untreated. The firm reports a $5 million result in a separate medical malpractice case. Its description doesn't say what treatment led to that particular claim.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for the recognition it has earned and what its clients say.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  5. Not sure who to call first?

    Tell us what happened. A malpractice lawyer who serves Providence can look at it with you, and it costs nothing.

  6. d'Oliveira & Associates, p.c. logo4

    d'Oliveira & Associates, p.c.

    4.9137 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 137 reviews

    Best for: Amputation and delivery injury claims

    d'Oliveira & Associates, p.c. reports a $7.5 million settlement for a patient whose ankle surgery caused an infection that made a below-knee amputation necessary. A medical malpractice attorney took that case to trial, but the firm didn't have sole responsibility for the work. Another law firm helped with its delivery injury claim; d'Oliveira & Associates, p.c. says that case settled for $4.75 million.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for the results it publishes and what its clients say.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

  7. Tapalian Law logo5

    Tapalian Law

    4.9393 Google reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 393 reviews

    Best for: Medication and surgical error concerns

    Tapalian Law's site addresses medication errors as well as surgical errors, making it an option to discuss injuries tied to prescriptions or a procedure. David Tapalian is the attorney listed for this Providence firm. Client feedback repeatedly describes responsive communication and patient guidance, which may matter when you're trying to understand an unfamiliar process.

    CallWebsiteFree case reviewIs this your firm?
    How they were picked

    Stood out in our review for what its clients say and the results it publishes.

    We order firms by how much of their work is medical malpractice, the results they publish, what their clients say, their experience, their standing with the regulator and the recognition they have earned, all from public records and the firms' own sites. How lists are made

Where they are in Providence

What clients say about these Providence lawyers

Google reviews of the firms on our lists, quoted as their clients wrote them and linked to where they were posted. We don't write, edit or pick reviews for pay.

  • Gail P.

    October 2026 · Providence, Rhode Island

    “Choosing Andrew was the.best decision I made after my slip and fall accident. He handled my personal injury case with absolute professionalism and care. Andrew took care of all the stressful paperwork and communication with the insurance companies so I could focus entirely on healing. He kept me updated throughout...”

    About Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd.Google reviewRead it on Google

  • Linda P.

    October 2026 · Providence, Rhode Island

    “I would like to thank this law firm for helping my husband and myself out. We were in an accident a couple years ago, and they were digitally to help us, they're hard-working Law firm.\n Very pleasant explains everything to you. If you're not sure what to do, they'll explain\n The best way to go.\n This is a great...”

    About Marasco & Nesselbush, LLPGoogle reviewRead it on Google

  • BigRed

    October 2026 · Providence, Rhode Island

    “The support and communication of each step and process was amazing. I was taught a lot of which I didn't know or was aware of when it came to certain things with my workers comp case, but Arianna was of the best and made sure I received the best care and attention in such a timely manner. I highly recommend them so...”

    About Kirshenbaum & KirshenbaumGoogle reviewRead it on Google
See all reviews

A few minutes that might help

Questions about your own case?
How a malpractice claim usually moves in Rhode Island

  1. 1.Something went wrong

    Write down dates and names while they're fresh.

  2. 2.Get your records

    Ask for your full chart and test results.

  3. 3.Free case review

    A lawyer looks at what happened, free.

  4. 4.Medical opinion

    A doctor checks whether the care fell short.

  5. 5.File before the deadline

    Your lawyer starts the claim before the deadline.

  6. 6.Settlement or trial

    Many claims settle. Some go to a judge or jury.

Your deadline: 3 years from the treatmentRead the Rhode Island law guide

Each step in more detail

  1. Discuss the treatment and dates

    When explaining what happened, say when you learned of the injury. If the injury couldn't reasonably have been discovered then, a discovery rule applies; otherwise, Rhode Island generally allows 3 years from the incident.

  2. Review the medical records

    Before gathering the chart, ask which parts the lawyer needs and who will get and pay for medical opinions. You don't need an affidavit or certificate of merit in Rhode Island. Even without that requirement, your claim still needs support.

  3. Decide whether to file

    Ask the lawyer to explain your claim and filing deadline before they file a complaint (the document that starts a lawsuit). A child can sue up to age 21 if no action was brought within 3 years.

  4. Prepare and assess the claim

    If co-counsel will be involved, find out who'll handle the case and how they'll keep you updated. When you have further treatment or expenses, tell the team so it can consider those details with the medical records.

  5. Discuss settlement or trial

    Before weighing a settlement proposal, ask the lawyer to explain it and what a trial would involve. Although Rhode Island doesn't cap malpractice damages, that doesn't tell you what your claim is worth. After fees and expenses, how much of a proposed recovery would you receive?

Malpractice claims in Providence: the rules that matter

The filing deadline in Rhode Island
  1. The clock startsOn the day of the treatment
  2. Time to start a claim3 yearsMiss it and the claim is usually lost.
Limits on damages in Rhode Island
  • Pain and sufferingNo cap
  • All damages togetherNo overall cap
  • Expert paperworkNo affidavit or certificate of merit is required.

Read the Rhode Island law guideWork out your own deadline

Local hospitals

Star ratings from CMS Care Compare. Look up a hospital

Filing deadline for most malpractice claims in Rhode Island
3 years
Source
Cap on non-economic damages
No cap.
Source
Hospitals near Providence with a CMS star rating
5
Source

What a malpractice lawyer costs in Providence

  1. The first callOften free. Ask before you book.
  2. A written agreementThe share the lawyer takes, set out before work starts.
  3. If you recover moneyThe agreed share and the case costs come out of it.
  4. If the claim failsNo legal fee on a contingency agreement. Ask about costs.
Contingency is how most firms here say they work. If the claim fails, there's no attorney fee; when there's a recovery, the lawyer receives a share of it. You'll need to consider expenses separately, since obtaining medical records or opinions costs money, and court filings can too. As the case moves forward, would you pay those expenses, or would the firm advance them? A contingency fee doesn't settle that question. Get terms in writing before signing that show how expenses are deducted and what share goes to the lawyer. If nothing is recovered, those terms should also say whether you owe expenses.

A free consultation is offered by eight of the nine listed firms, according to their statements. Contingency work is also reported by eight.

What to bring to your first call

  • Your treatment and when you noticed the injury, written in a brief timeline
  • Which hospitals and clinicians were involved, listed by name
  • Your discharge instructions, along with records you already have
  • Reports from imaging and your test results
  • Which medications you take and their prescription instructions
  • Details about missed work, along with your medical bills
  • Letters you've received from the hospital or insurer
  • Photos of the injury, if you have any

Questions to ask a lawyer

  1. 1Have you handled cases involving treatment like mine, and which ones?
  2. 2Who's handling my file, and who will read my records?
  3. 3Would another law firm share responsibility with you for my case?
  4. 4Based on the dates I've given, when must I file?
  5. 5How is the contingency fee you charge calculated?
  6. 6Would I pay the case expenses? If the claim fails, would I still owe them?
  7. 7How can I reach the attorney, and how will I get updates?
  8. 8Before you decide whether to take my claim, what will you need to review?

Choose for your treatment, not the largest result

Start with what went wrong during your treatment. A missed diagnosis raises different questions from an infection after surgery, so what you'd ask about that may differ from questions about an injury during delivery. Several Providence firms listed here publish substantial results, but those figures don't tell you whether you'd get the lawyer who worked on those particular cases. Can the firm describe its work on cases involving similar treatment?

Use the first conversation to check the fit

  1. Describe the medical sequence

    Tell the lawyer about your treatment, including the point when you first noticed that something was wrong. Give the lawyer the hospital's name, whether you received treatment at Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital or somewhere else. Before the lawyer decides whether to take your claim, which records will they need to read?

  2. Find out who does the work

    Ask which attorney you'd have. If another firm would share responsibility, ask how, as Gemma Law Associates, INC and d'Oliveira & Associates, p.c. describe in their published results. When you call or receive a proposed settlement, who would answer and explain it?

  3. Agree on communication

    When a new medical bill arrives, know whom to contact, and ask how you'll get updates. Reviews praising explanations you can follow appear here alongside complaints that the firm didn't respond. If the firm promises personal attention, don't leave it there; ask how it would actually stay in touch with you.

Read the fee agreement before signing

A free consultation means there's no charge for the conversation you have about your claim. What later work or expenses might cost isn't covered by that offer. If the claim fails, a contingency fee means no attorney fee; if there's a recovery, the lawyer gets a share of it. When asking about costs, discuss court fees separately from records and medical opinions. Before agreeing, get payment terms in writing that say who pays those expenses if there's no recovery.

  • If someone promises a recovery by pointing to another client's settlement, be wary.
  • If attorney fees and case expenses aren't listed separately in the agreement, ask why.
  • Before relying on a published result, remember it may come from outside Rhode Island or involve work by another firm.
  • Ask to speak with the attorney who'd review your claim if you don't feel heard during intake.

Questions people ask

How long do I have to file a malpractice claim in Providence?
You generally have 3 years from the incident to file in Rhode Island. When the injury couldn't reasonably have been discovered then, the 3 years starts when it should have been discovered. The treatment matters, but so do the dates. To understand how the statute fits your situation, ask a Rhode Island lawyer.
Can I talk to a Providence malpractice lawyer for free?
Eight of the nine listed firms say they offer a free consultation. Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum's consultation terms aren't stated, so check before you schedule. A free conversation doesn't mean the firm will accept your claim. Keep your treatment dates handy and ask what the lawyer needs to review next.
What does a contingency fee mean for my family?
If there's a recovery, the lawyer gets a share under a contingency fee; if the claim fails, there's no attorney fee. This is how eight firms here say they work. You'll consider records and medical opinions as separate expenses. If there's no recovery, would you owe those costs, and does the firm pay them initially? Ask before agreeing.
Does Rhode Island limit malpractice damages?
There's no cap on medical malpractice damages in Rhode Island. Although you may see published settlements, they don't predict your result or give your claim a set value. When reviewing your medical records and how the injury affects you, how would the lawyer assess them? Have the lawyer explain expenses and fees before you consider accepting a settlement.
Do I need a certificate from a doctor before filing?
You don't need an affidavit or certificate of merit in Rhode Island. Even so, find out who pays for medical review and what review the lawyer thinks your claim needs. Whatever records you have, bring them along. Although no certificate is required, the firm may still decide not to accept your case.
What is the filing rule for an injured child?
If no action was brought within 3 years, Rhode Island lets a child sue at any time up to age 21. Don't take that as a reason to delay asking for advice. Given your child's treatment dates and circumstances, ask a Rhode Island lawyer to explain how the rule would apply.
How long will a malpractice case take?
You won't find a fixed length for a case in Rhode Island's filing rules. Although some clients in these reviews describe lengthy cases or stretches without updates, their experiences don't tell you how long your own case would take. What could slow things down, and what needs to happen next? Ask how you'll hear from the attorney while they're assessing your claim.
What should I do if a loved one died after medical treatment?
Start by writing the treatment dates down. If you have hospital letters or records, gather them. Wrongful death is handled by several firms here, including Marasco & Nesselbush, LLP and Gemma Law Associates, INC, both of which publish related malpractice results. For your family's circumstances, ask a Rhode Island lawyer to explain which filing deadline applies and who is allowed to bring the claim.
Should I hire the firm with the largest published settlement?
When you look at published results, ask who'd handle your file and about cases involving similar treatment. Co-counsel worked on some results here. Although Morgan & Morgan's listed birth injury award came from Hillsborough County, Tapalian Law's settlement description leaves a different question: it doesn't establish that the firm obtained it. Before you rely on the headline amount, ask the firm to explain those details.

Sources

  1. Rhode Island General Laws § 9-1-14.1, Rhode Island General Assembly
  2. Rhode Island Medical Malpractice Laws and Statutory Rules, AllLaw (Nolo)
  3. State Enactments of Selected Medical Liability Reforms (as of 8/27/2026), Medical Professional Liability Association
  4. Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States (updated 6/10/2026), Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C.
  5. Hospital General Information, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  6. Malpractice Center methodology, Malpractice Center

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