Hammers' Law

S 1423, "Hammers' Law," expands a legal limitation on certain damages from commercial aviation accidents to include cruise ship voyages. It defines a "cruise ship" as a passenger vessel carrying at least 250 people with sleeping accommodations, embarking or disembarking in the U.S., and not on a coastwise voyage. The bill specifically extends the existing rule that limits claims for "nonpecuniary damages" (like loss of companionship or emotional harm) to apply to cruise ship incidents, just as it does for commercial aviation accidents. This change directly affects passengers involved in accidents on qualifying cruise ships by restricting their ability to seek compensation for certain non-monetary losses.