Legal Definitions - maximum cure

Maximum cure is a term used in maritime law to describe the point at which a sick or injured seaman has stabilized and no further medical treatment will improve their condition.

For example, if a seaman is injured while working on a ship, the shipowner is obligated to provide maintenance and cure until the seaman reaches maximum cure. This means that the shipowner must pay for the seaman's medical treatment and provide them with a daily allowance for living expenses until they have fully recovered or reached maximum cure.

Once the seaman has reached maximum cure, the shipowner's obligation to provide maintenance and cure ends. For instance, if a seaman has a broken leg and has undergone surgery and physical therapy, but their leg will never fully heal, they have reached maximum cure. The shipowner is no longer responsible for paying for their medical treatment or providing them with a daily allowance.