Hammers' Law

This bill would let people sue for non-financial harms from incidents that happen during a cruise ship voyage on the high seas. In plain terms, it authorizes courts to award money for harms that aren’t just out-of-pocket costs, expanding what victims and families can seek after a cruise-related injury or death far from shore.

A section titled “Limitations in certain cases” suggests it adjusts existing limits on what can be recovered in these lawsuits, specifically for cruise voyages on the high seas.

• Who is affected: Cruise passengers and their families; cruise companies.
• What changes: Courts could award nonpecuniary (non-financial) damages for cruise incidents on the high seas.
• Where it applies: Incidents occurring on the high seas during a cruise ship voyage.