What does my company owe me for maintenance and cure?

A:

If you are a seaman injured on-the-job or if you became ill while working then your employer is supposed to pay for your medical care and living expenses while you recover.  The compensation they provide you in this situation is called “maintenance and cure”.

Maintenance refers to living expenses that injured seamen are given so they can continue to pay for living expenses like rent, mortgage, utilities, food, etc. while they are unable to work because they are recovering from an injury.  As long as you were injured while doing your job, your company owes you maintenance regardless of who was at fault in the accident.

Cure is what you receive to pay for your medical bills.  Just like maintenance, your employer will pay for your medical bills regardless of who was at fault in your accident as long as you were injured in the course and scope of maritime employment.  Your medical expenses will be covered until you reach something called “maximum cure”.

While it seems straightforward, some employers will nickel and dime their injured seamen, either giving them a ridiculously small amount for maintenance or not wanting to pay for either maintenance or cure.  There are many tricks that employers have to get out of paying compensation to injured workers.  Please contact a maritime law attorney to discuss your rights.