Maintenance and Cure: The Lifeline Every Injured Seaman Should Know About

Picture this: You’re out at sea, the salty breeze whipping against your face, the rhythmic sway of the vessel beneath your feet. Everything’s fine — until it’s not. Maybe you slip on a slick deck, twist your ankle in a rogue cable, or worse. Suddenly, your biggest concern isn’t the next port of call — it’s how you’ll cover your medical bills and daily expenses while you’re laid up. In these maritime injury situations, contacting an offshore injury attorney is very important to help you understand your rights relating to Maintenance and Cure. 

What Exactly Are Maintenance and Cure?

In the simplest terms, “Maintenance” and “Cure” are the maritime version of workers’ compensation — but with a salty twist. They’re essential benefits designed to protect seamen who suffer injuries or illnesses while serving a vessel.

• Maintenance refers to the daily cost of living — rent, groceries, utilities — that an injured seaman would have paid if they weren’t stuck on the couch nursing an injury. This isn’t meant to fund a five-star lifestyle but should cover basic living expenses.
• Cure covers all reasonable and necessary medical expenses until the seaman reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI), where further treatment won’t improve their condition.

In theory, these benefits sound like a lifeline — and they are — but as with most things in life, the reality can be a bit murkier.

The Obligations of Vessel Owners: More Than Just a Handshake Deal

Vessel owners are legally bound to provide maintenance and cure, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. The owner’s obligation kicks in when a seaman gets injured or falls ill while serving the vessel. There’s no need to prove fault — it’s a no-strings-attached duty.

But what does this mean?

1. Prompt Payments: Vessel owners must start maintenance and cure payments as soon as they know about the injury.
2. Fair Support: The maintenance should be enough to cover a seaman’s basic living expenses — not just a token amount.
3. Comprehensive Medical Care: The cure covers everything from doctor visits to surgeries, prescriptions, and even rehabilitation until MMI is reached.

Sounds straightforward, right? Not always.

Common Disputes: When Smooth Sailing Gets Choppy

Despite these clear obligations, disputes are as common as sea spray. Here are some of the most frequent squabbles:

• Lowball Maintenance Payments: Some vessel owners try to cut corners by offering absurdly low daily maintenance rates — sometimes as little as $15–$30 a day — barely enough to cover a trip to the grocery store.
• Questioning Medical Treatment: Owners may dispute whether certain treatments are “necessary,” refusing to pay for physical therapy or specialist visits.
• Premature Termination of Benefits: Some vessel owners abruptly stop payments by claiming the seaman has reached MMI — often long before the injured party has truly recovered.
• Retaliation and Pressure: Sadly, there are cases where injured seamen feel pressured to return to work too soon for fear of losing their jobs.

Why You Need an Offshore Lawyer in Your Corner

If the sea of maintenance and cure seems stormy, you don’t have to navigate it alone. An offshore injury attorney knows the ins and outs of maritime law and can help you fight for the benefits you deserve. They can:

• Ensure you receive a fair maintenance rate.
• Push back against wrongful termination of medical benefits.
• Advocate for continued treatment until you genuinely reach MMI.
• Protect you from employer retaliation.

Maritime law has been built over centuries to protect those who risk their lives at sea. Don’t let a vessel owner’s stingy interpretation of “basic support” leave you high and dry.

Conclusion

Maintenance and cure are not handouts — they’re rights that help you protect your livelihood. If you’re an injured seaman, understanding these benefits is the first step in securing yourself and your loved ones. The next step? Speaking to an experienced offshore lawyer who can ensure you’re treated fairly and fully supported while recovering. The sea may be unpredictable, but your access to proper care and support shouldn’t be. So, if you ever find yourself battling more than just the waves, remember — you don’t have to fight alone.