Navarro v. Aries Marine Corp.

YELVERTON, Judge.

Ernesto Navarro suffered a back injury while working as a seaman aboard a vessel owned by his employer, Aries Marine Corporation (Aries). Maintenance and cure were paid by Aries, and Aries was still paying maintenance at trial. The issue in this case is whether Aries is hable for cure payments resulting from procedures performed by Mr. Navarro’s treating physician, Dr. John Cobb, an orthopedic surgeon. Aries argues that the treatment was not medically necessary. The trial court found that the treatment, which successfully relieved the patient of his back pain, was medically…