Chaves v. Robert E. Derecktor of Rhode Island, Inc.

OPINION

SHEA, Justice.

This workers’ compensation case is before the Supreme Court pursuant to the employee’s petition for a writ of certiorari to determine whether an employee can unilaterally withdraw an appeal from the Department of Workers’ Compensation to the *1064Workers’ Compensation Commission. We conclude that he can.

The facts of this case are not in dispute. On May 13, 1987, the employee, Thomas Chaves, purportedly sustained a back injury while working for his employer, Robert E. Derecktor of Rhode Island, Inc. After a hearing at the Department of Workers’ Compensation on July 8, 1987,…