Messier, a seaman, contracted lymphoma and sued his former employer, seeking maintenance and cure. The district court ruled that his lymphoma did not manifest itself during his service ate sea and so, his employer did not owe him maintenance and cure. The appeal is Messier v. Bouchard Transportation, 2012 WL 2948540.

 Messier worked as a career tugboat seaman since March 2004. In October 2005, Messier fell climbing down a ladder and suffered back pain. Over the years, Messier was treated and tested and finally, in December 2005, two months after his service ended, Messier was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma. In November 2008, he filed a claim under the Jones Act seeking maintenance and cure. The district court dismissed his case and said his illness did not manifest itself, that is, present any symptoms, while he was in service of the ship. This appeal followed.

 The U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, noted that a claim for maintenance and cure concerns the vessel owner's obligation to provide food, lodging, and medical services to a seaman injured while serving the ship. The doctrine entitles an injured seaman to three distinct remedies—maintenance, cure, and wages. Maintenance compensates the injured seaman for food and lodging expenses during his medical treatment. Cure refers to the reasonable medical expenses incurred in the treatment of the seaman's condition. A seaman is entitled to maintenance and cure only until he reaches maximum medical recovery.