Admiralty Lawyers

Understanding Maintenance and Cure

Working at sea can be a very physically demanding job. With rough seas, heavy equipment, slippery decks, and long hours, sea workers are put into a variety of dangerous positions every single day. Injuries that occur while on the job may range in severity from minor cuts and bruises to broken bones, brain damage, and even death.

When injuries occur on the job, it is important to visit a doctor immediately so that your injuries can be properly examined. Although a smaller injury may not seem to have caused much damage, the underlying injury may surface some time later in life to cause you a great deal of pain.

If you have been injured due to the negligent actions of your employer, under admiralty law your employer should provide you maintenance and cure.

What is Maintenance and Cure?

According to Admiralty law, all sea workers injured as a result of their employer’s negligent actions should be granted free medical care until they have reached what is known as maximum medical cure.

The term “maintenance” refers to the daily allowance that an injured sea worker should receive if they are unable to work after sustaining an injury. Recent laws have extended this amount from around $30 per day to an amount that reasonably covers an injured sea worker’s expenses, including rent, food, and transportation, among other things.

The term “cure” refers to the payment of the medical care expenses required for the full recovery of the injured sea worker. If you’ve been injured while on the job, it is important to remember that you are entitled to quality health care. While your employer would like you to be treated by an inexpensive health care facility, it should be your first priority to seek out medical care from the health care facility of your choosing.

You have reached maximum medical cure when your condition is no longer unstable and your injuries are at their maximum point of improvement. Once you have reached maximum cure, your employer will no longer be responsible for providing you maintenance and cure.

Turn to an Admiralty Lawyer for Help

If you have been injured due to the negligence of your employer and have not been provided the maintenance and cure to which you are entitled, contact the admiralty lawyers of Williams Kherkher immediately. The admiralty maintenance and cure lawyers will be able to guide you through the complicated legal process and ensure that your rights are well represented. Call 800-220-9341 today.