Absolutely Not! In the aftermath of a serious offshore injury, Jones Act seamen are entitled to immediate medical care. Your employer has an affirmative duty to provide you with medical treatment, known under the Jones Act as “cure”, until you reach what doctors call “maximum medical improvement”. MMI is a term used by physicians to indicate when an injury has reached a point where it will no longer improve, even with continued medical treatment. At this point, your employer is relieved of his obligation to provide medical care for the on-the-job injury.
Your company may try and tell you that you need to give a recorded statement or sign a document before you can receive medical treatment for your injury. This is incorrect. Don’t risk doing or saying something that could destroy your ability to recover damages in the future. Request medical attention immediately and do not sign or say anything until you’ve spoken with a knowledgeable offshore injury attorney. If you or a loved one has been hurt offshore on a boat, ship, rig or other vessel, contact an experienced maritime lawyer at Zehl & Associates today for a free, confidential consultation: 1 1-888-302-3838.
