If an employee is hurt on the job, it’s only fair that they receive compensation for their injuries. However, what happens if an employee tries to take advantage of the rules to take much-needed funds away from your company? It’s a fine line to walk, and without a St. Louis, MO maintenance and cure lawyer, it can be hard to tell when you should pay, and when you should fight back against a dishonest claim. Fortunately, Goldstein & Price, L.C. is here to help. Read on to learn more about maintenance and cure, and contact us today to get started.
What Can A Maintenance And Cure Lawyer Do For Me?
To understand how maintenance and cure payments may affect your company, it helps to put yourself in the shoes of an injured employee. After a serious maritime accident, you won’t be able to clock in for work and carry on like nothing happened. And of course, you’ll be facing a growing pile of medical bills – bills that are hard to pay when your only source of income has just dried up.
Under the Jones Act, maritime employees are entitled to receive maintenance and cure compensation for their work-related injuries. Maintenance compensation takes the form of regular checks. These checks are intended to cover the costs of lost wages: All those paychecks an injured employee would have missed because he or she was unable to clock in as usual.
On the other hand, cure payments are intended to cover the costs of medical care. While they may not be enough to pay for the entirety of a medical procedure, they’re intended to at least offset the brunt of the financial impact.
On paper, maintenance and cure payments sound like a good thing. They keep injured employees afloat, and it keeps you out of hot water as their employer. But there are always some important questions to ask before blindly paying up. Was this person actually a maritime employee? Did their injury actually occur on the job? How much money needs to be paid in maintenance and cure compensation?
You shouldn’t have to make maintenance and cure payments if your business had nothing to do with someone’s injuries. You shouldn’t open yourself up for lawsuits that can disrupt your entire operation, either. And importantly, you shouldn’t work with a maritime accident lawyer who doesn’t have the experience you need.
Why Experience Matters In A Maintenance And Cure Case
You need a legal team you can trust. And you need a legal team with plenty of experience. Here’s what Goldstein & Price, L.C. brings to the table:
- We’ve spent 60 years representing clients in maritime injury cases.
- Our experience includes longshore accidents, lock and dam cases, maritime disasters, and more.
- With clients all across the US, we’re familiar with all the nuances of your individual case.
You’ve seen how we can help, and you’ve seen our experience. Now, all you have to do is get in touch.
Contact Us Today
At Goldstein & Price, L.C., we know how damaging a maintenance and cure case can be for your business. That’s why we’re here to help you fight back. Contact us today, and see what a St. Louis maintenance and cure lawyer from our team can do for you.
Types Of Maintenance And Cure Cases We Handle
Maintenance and cure claims can cover medical expenses, living allowances, and related support until an injured worker reaches maximum medical recovery. Your St. Louis, MO maintenance and cure lawyer can help you understand your next steps – and at Goldstein & Price, L.C., we’ve spent over 60 years representing companies just like yours. Read on to see what we can do for you, and contact us today.
Illness Or Injury Claims During Service
Crew members may file claims if they become sick or injured while performing their duties aboard a vessel. These cases often involve questions about whether the condition arose during service and whether it qualifies for coverage.
Disputes Over Medical Treatment
Sometimes disputes arise about the type or extent of medical care provided. Employers may face claims that they did not provide adequate treatment or that they cut off medical support too soon.
Long-Term Or Repetitive Injuries
Workers may allege that repetitive motions, heavy lifting, or extended service caused long-term conditions such as back injuries or joint problems. These cases often focus on whether the injuries developed during the period of employment.
Pre Existing Condition Disputes
Employers are sometimes required to respond to claims where workers allege aggravation of pre existing conditions. These matters typically involve medical evidence and questions about whether the injury is connected to service aboard the vessel.
Claims For Extended Maintenance Payments
Maintenance is intended to cover basic living expenses while an employee recovers. Disputes often occur when employees seek extended payments beyond what the employer believes is reasonable or justified. Your St. Louis maintenance and cure lawyer can help you defend against overblown claims.
Allegations Of Improper Denial
Some cases involve allegations that an employer wrongfully denied maintenance and cure benefits altogether. Without a maritime injury lawyer on your side, these disputes can carry significant consequences.
Hospitalization And Emergency Care Disputes
As your offshore injury lawyer can explain, injury or illness at sea may require hospitalization or emergency evacuation. Employers may face claims about whether they covered the costs and whether they acted quickly in arranging necessary treatment.
Claims Connected To Accidents On Board
Maintenance and cure cases often overlap with claims of injury from accidents, such as slips, machinery incidents, or falls overboard. These matters can raise questions about both immediate care and ongoing support, but your maritime injury lawyer can help.
Wrongful Death Claims
If a worker passes away after an injury or illness, families may file claims related to maintenance and cure obligations before death. These cases can be highly sensitive for businesses and require careful handling.
We’re Here To Help. Contact Us Today.
Maintenance and cure claims can create real challenges for businesses in the maritime industry. At Goldstein & Price, L.C., we are committed to supporting companies facing maintenance and cure cases. With 6 decades of experience in Jones Act claims, boat accident cases, and maintenance and cure settlements, we have the legal knowledge to show you the way forward. If your business is dealing with one of these matters, contact a St. Louis maintenance and cure lawyer from our office as soon as possible.