Maintenance and Cure

If you are a Jones Act seaman, and you are injured or become sick, you are entitled to maintenance and cure whether the boat owner is negligent or not in causing your injury. All you have to prove is that you were working for the boat at the time your injury, or you were in the call of the vessel meaning if the owner called you, then you would have to show up to work, to be entitled to maintenance and cure. Maintenance is a daily rate to live on shore while you are recovering from your injury. Maintenance is typically made up of a daily amount you have to pay for your rent or your mortgage payment, plus a daily amount for electricity, plus a daily amount for food. Maintenance is usually between $50 a day and $150 a day. You are also entitled to cure benefits. This just means that your employer has to pay for your medical bills until you reach maximum medical improvement. You are entitled to maintenance and cure even when you just become ill as long as you are working on the vessel at the time.