What is the average maintenance and cure daily rate in Texas in 2026?

Maintenance and cure daily rates in Texas for 2026 typically range from $30 to $65 per day, though many employers still offer rates as low as $15–$25/day. Courts have increasingly recognized that rates must cover actual living expenses including rent, utilities, and food. Rates under $40/day are frequently challenged as inadequate.

What does maintenance and cure cover under the Jones Act?

Maintenance covers daily living expenses (food and lodging) while a seaman recovers from injury. Cure covers all reasonable and necessary medical treatment until the seaman reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI). These benefits are owed regardless of fault and begin from the date of injury.

Can I challenge an inadequate maintenance and cure rate?

Yes. If your employer is paying a maintenance rate that doesn't cover your actual living expenses, you can file a legal action for the difference. Under Atlantic Sounding Co. v. Townsend (2009), willful failure to pay adequate maintenance and cure can result in punitive damages.

Offshore supply vessel in Gulf of Mexico — Texas maintenance and cure daily rate claims

Underpayment Alert

Maintenance & Cure
Daily Rate Texas 2026.

Texas maritime employers are still paying 1990s maintenance rates. If you are receiving **$15 to $50 per day**, you are being underpaid. Current Texas cost-of-living standards support rates of **$80 to $100 per day**.

They Pay:

$25/day

Law Entitles:

$85+/day

Recover Your "Back Maintenance"

We audit your actual living expenses—rent, utilities, food—to force the company to pay the true legal rate.

Texas Maintenance Rate Reality Check

Employer Standard Offer

Illegal Lowball

$25.00

Average Texas Rent Equivalent

Housing Only

$54.00

Food & Utility Add-on

Required

$32.00

Total Daily Entitlement

Legal Standard

$86.00+

If your company doctor has declared you at Maximum Medical Improvement while you are still in pain, learn how to dispute a premature MMI ruling and protect your maintenance and cure benefits.

For settlement data across all Jones Act injury types and employer sectors, see our Jones Act settlement statistics. Not sure if you qualify for Jones Act protection? Take our seaman eligibility quiz.

Shoulder injuries are among the most common causes of extended maintenance and cure periods. See realistic shoulder injury settlement ranges so you know what a fair resolution looks like before signing a release.

Offshore supply vessel operating in Gulf of Mexico waters — Texas maintenance and cure daily rate claims

Maintenance & Cure Daily Rate Texas 2026.

Recover Your "Back Maintenance"

Texas Maintenance Rate Reality Check

Maintenance & Cure
Daily Rate Texas 2026.