Injured Seamen: You Have a Right to Maintenance and Cure For Your Knee Injury

Are you a seaman who is suffering from a knee injury?
 
Whether you slipped on the deck of a fishing boat, tripped over lines on a barge, or fell off the ladder of an oil rig, you know that a knee is serious a serious wound.   You may be in significant pain and your ability to work or even walk may be impaired.      

With treatment, your injury could take weeks or even months to heal.  How will you pay your bills while you are waiting to go back to work?
 
Seamen who are recovering from a knee injury are entitled to receive maintenance and cure payments from their employer.   
 
Maintenance covers a portion of the seaman's living expenses until the injury has healed and he is able to return to work. Cure covers the seaman's medical costs until the injury has healed as much as is medically expected.  These benefits are your right as a maritime worker and are guaranteed under federal maritime law.
 
If your injury was caused by the negligence of your employer or the vessel owner, you may be entitled to additional compensation under the Jones Act.  Learn more in our article, "Your Offshore Knee Injury May Be Covered Under the Jones Act."
 
For more information about maintenance and cure or the Jones Act, contact the maritime attorneys at The Young Firm, 866-938-5596.