If, in the course of the proceedings in any cause, any question of law arises which in the opinion of the workers' compensation court is of such doubt and importance, and so affects the merits of the controversy, that it ought to be determined by the supreme court before further proceedings, the workers' compensation court may certify that question to the supreme court for that purpose, and stay all further proceedings except those that are necessary to preserve the rights of the parties.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-35-38