If you work in the maritime industry, then you probably first heard about the concept of "maintenance and cure" when you were first training for your role. Your trainer probably instructed you that this benefit is much like what worker's compensation coverage is for those individuals who work on the land. Both protect workers who become injured or ill while on the job. Maritime workers must meet certain requirements to be entitled to receive maintenance and cure.
What happens if skippers aren't skilled in navigating rough seas?
One of the first things that captains learn in their seamanship classes is about how to best handle their water vessels if they come upon rough seas. There can be severe damage to the boat and mass human casualties if a captain doesn't take proactive measures in instances like this.
Can you recover damages if you're hurt while working at sea?
The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) was enacted to provide compensation to workers who were injured while on the job in the United States' navigable waters. Most any worker who becomes disabled is entitled to medical care, lost wages and vocational rehabilitation to help them cope with what they're going through. If a longshore worker dies from their injuries, their next of kin may be entitled to survivor's benefits.
What does unseaworthiness mean?
Commercial boat accidents are much like plane crashes. They don't happen all that frequently, but when they do, they're often catastrophic. One of the reasons why water vessels become involved in serious accidents and people aboard often end up hurt is due to unseaworthiness. This is a term that legal analysts use to describe any situation that renders a boat unsafe and causes injuries.
