I was hurt offshore and need surgery. How do I get the company to pay for my surgery?

A: If you are a Jones Act seaman and you are hurt on the job, your employer must provide you with maintenance and cure benefits.

The cure benefits are payments the company must make to your doctors to treat you for your injuries.  If your injuries require surgery, then your employer must pay for your surgery.

Once your doctor says you need surgery, and if you wish to have the surgery, tell the company that you need and want the surgery.  The company may ask you to provide some supporting materials, like medical reports or cost estimates.  They may even ask you to be seen by another doctor. 

Sooner rather than later, you will know whether or not your company is going to work with you and get you the surgery you need.  If your employer ultimately refuses to get you the surgery, your only recourse will most likely be to consult with a Jones Act lawyer. 

Unfortunately, many offshore companies do everything they can to try to avoid having to pay anything to doctors to treat their workers' injuries, and if they pay some, they try to drastically minimize what they have to pay (examples of offshore company tricks and traps).  Because the companies operate this way, an injured worker's only option many times is to hire a lawyer to help them through the maze of maintenance and cure benefits, medical treatment, surgeries, and possibly a Jones Act lawsuit.

If you are put in this position, and if you hire a qualified Jones Act attorney, you should be able to get the surgery you need.