Have you been injured while working as a seaman? If so, know your rights.
If you have been injured while at work as a seaman you are entitled to maintenance and cure. Maintenance is payment of a seaman’s day-to-day living expenses. The cure is the payment of a seaman’s medical costs. Did you know that even if your injury is not caused by the negligence of your employer or if you have simply gotten sick while onboard a vessel that your employer has an obligation to pay your maintenance and cure? Some employers attempt to limit maintenance payments to $20 or $25 per day. Most seamen have bills and expenses onshore that greatly exceed $25 per day, and, the value of the room and board that they received on the vessel is usually greater than these artificially low maintenance payments. As a result, if you have been injured or fallen ill on board a vessel you are entitled to maintenance payments that are equal to the reasonable expenses of your day to day living expenses. If you are receiving maintenance and you cannot pay your bills, and the company is not paying your day to day expenses, call the experienced Jones Act, maritime, and maintenance and cure lawyers at Stepp Law Firm PLLC. The Jones Act, maritime, and maintenance and cure experienced lawyers at Stepp Law Firm PLLC can help you obtain the maintenance you deserve.
If you fall ill or are injured while employed as a seaman on board a vessel you are entitled to cure. Cure is the payment for medical care that is required to treat your injury or illness until you have reached the point of maximum medical care. Your maritime employer is obligated to pay these medical costs. Even though the company is obligated to pay for your medical costs, you are absolutely entitled to choose your doctor. You do not have to go to a doctor of your employer’s choosing. You can choose your own doctor and your employer must pay that doctor’s charges as long as they are considered reasonable and necessary for your illness or injury. Do not be intimidated into seeing a company doctor.
A company doctor may not have your best interests in mind.
A company doctor may report to the company and may even take direction from the company about what kind of treatment would be preferable from the company’s point of view. You are entitled to choose your own doctor. The experienced Jones Act, maritime, and maintenance and cure lawyers at the Stepp Law Firm can assist you in obtaining the medical care which you deserve. The experienced Jones Act, maritime, and maintenance and cure lawyers at the Stepp Law Firm will fight for your rights so that the company fulfills its cure obligations and pays for your medical care.
If you have been injured or have fallen ill while employed as a seaman on board a vessel you are entitled to maintenance and cure. Call the experienced Jones Act, maritime, and maintenance and care lawyers at the Stepp Law Firm so that you can receive all of the maintenance benefits you deserve and that you are provided cure from the doctors of your choosing.
