When you are employed as a seaman, you are protected in the event of an injury under federal law ruling and the Jones Act. The right for a seaman that is injured during a period of employment is called “maintenance and cure”. This basically defines medical benefits – known as cure – and living expenses – known as maintenance.
Being a seaman, the medical benefits you are entitled to cover hospitalization, physical therapy, doctors visits (or medical care), medication, and the facilitation of medical equipment. If you are a seaman and are in need of any of these instances due to your employment as a seaman, your employer is required to cover these payments – end of story.
If unable to work as a result of an injury or work related health endangerment, a seaman is also entitled to payments for everyday living expenses which include:
– Grocery Bills
– Utility Bills
– Cosmetic and Toiletry Expenses
– Any Other Reasonable Expenses
The only reason any of this is possible is due, in part, to the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act of 1927. This recognized that people were in need of a federal law to ensure seamen were protected in the same way as everyone else. This was even more important because there are countless things that could go wrong while out at sea thus making employment at sea extremely dangerous even under the safest conditions.
Sadly, not every employer is going to adhere to the guidelines and practices of the Jones Act. Due to there being so many uncovered issues with the maritime law, employers have the power to find loopholes in the act and the amendments. When dealing with any maritime law, especially in affiliation with the Jones Act, you will always want to receive consultation and be represented by a maritime law professional. An employer of seamen is required to support the legality of the Jones Act and, without proper representation; the employer could very well try to cheat you out of these compensations.
