Claudius M. Dowdle, Cross-Appellee v. Offshore Express, Inc., Cross-Appellant

RANDALL, Circuit Judge:

This appeal concerns a seaman’s suit under the general maritime law against his former employer to recover maintenance, cure, unearned wages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees for illness sustained while in the service of the employer’s vessel. We affirm the district court’s award of cure and denial of punitive damages and attorney’s fees, but reverse and remand the district court’s denial of unpaid wages and award of maintenance.

I

A

In November of 1983, plaintiff Claudius M. Dowdle signed an employment contract with defendant Offshore Express, Inc. (“Offshore”),…