Legal Definitions - maximum cure

In maritime law, maximum cure refers to the point when a seaman who has suffered an injury or illness has received all available medical treatment, and their condition has stabilized to the extent that no further medical care is expected to improve it. This does not necessarily mean the seaman is fully recovered or free of all symptoms, but rather that their medical progress has plateaued. Once a seaman reaches maximum cure, the shipowner's obligation to provide "cure" (medical treatment) typically ends.

• Imagine a deckhand named Alex who breaks his leg in a fall while working on a cargo ship. The shipowner provides all necessary medical care, including surgery, hospitalization, and extensive physical therapy. After several months, Alex's orthopedic surgeon determines that while the bone has healed, he will have a permanent slight limp and some reduced mobility. The surgeon concludes that no further physical therapy or medical intervention will improve his leg's function beyond its current state. At this point, Alex has reached maximum cure. The shipowner's duty to pay for ongoing physical therapy or other medical treatments for the leg injury would cease, even though Alex is not 100% recovered.

• Consider Maria, a cook on a cruise ship, who develops a severe, chronic autoimmune condition that requires ongoing medication and regular check-ups to manage her symptoms. While the shipowner initially covers the diagnostic tests and initial treatment to stabilize her condition, her doctors determine that there is no known cure for her illness, and her treatment will focus on managing symptoms for the rest of her life. Once her condition is stable and the most effective long-term management plan is in place, Maria has reached maximum cure. The shipowner's obligation to provide "cure" ends, as no further medical intervention will improve her underlying condition, even though she will need lifelong medication.

• John, an engineer on an oil tanker, suffers a back injury while lifting heavy equipment. The shipowner arranges for chiropractic care, pain management, and a comprehensive physical therapy program. After several months of therapy, John's physical therapist notes that while John has regained significant strength and mobility, his progress has stalled. Despite trying different exercises and modalities, his therapist concludes that John's back function is unlikely to improve further with additional therapy. John has reached maximum cure for his back injury. The shipowner would no longer be responsible for funding continued physical therapy, as it is no longer expected to yield further improvement in his condition.