If an employee is disabled or dies and his disability or death is caused by one of the diseases mentioned in the schedule contained in § 28-34-2, and the disease is due to the nature of the employment in which that employee was engaged and was contracted in, he or she or his or her dependents shall be entitled to compensation for his or her death or for his or her disablement, and he or she shall be entitled to be furnished with medical and hospital services, as provided in chapter 33 of this title, except as provided in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-34-3