Durand v. City of Woonsocket

OPINION

MURRAY, Justice.

This petition comes before us on certiora-ri to review a decree of the Workers’ Compensation Commission (commission) denying benefits to Andre Durand (petitioner). The trial commissioner ruled that the petitioner, who sustained back injuries while participating in a work-fare program ad ministered by the city of Woonsocket, was not an “employee” within the meaning of G.L. 1956 (1979 Reenactment) § 28-29-2. He concluded that the petitioner failed to establish a contract for hire and that the relationship between the petitioner and the city was not voluntary. The…