Fischer, Blumenthal Reintroduce Hammers' Law for Omaha Natives Killed in 2016 Cruise Ship Fire

Press Release

U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), members of the Senate Commerce Committee, have reintroduced Hammers' Law. The bill is named for Larry and Christy Hammer of Omaha, who tragically lost their lives in a fire in their cabin onboard a Peruvian river cruise on April 10th, 2016. This Sunday marks the six-year anniversary of the incident.

"As we approach the six-year anniversary of Larry and Christy Hammer's passing, I'm reintroducing Hammers' Law. This bipartisan bill aligns the cruise industry with the aviation industry, ensuring families affected by wrongful deaths aboard a cruise ship can pursue fairer compensation. It's been an honor to work with the Hammers' daughters on this bill to hold cruise lines accountable," said Senator Fischer.

"This measure is an important step toward ensuring families can hold cruise lines accountable when their loved ones tragically die onboard. Outdated laws restrict family members from seeking fair compensation following a devastating loss. I'm proud to work with Senator Fischer on this bipartisan effort to update our laws and provide justice to families after a cruise catastrophe," said Senator Blumenthal.

"Hammers' Law will protect all American cruise passengers by finally holding the cruise industry to the same standard of accountability as that of the airline industry. In honor of our parents and all those who have lost loved ones on cruise ships, we hope that this law will help prevent future tragedies from devastating more families. We are grateful to Senators Fischer and Blumenthal for their commitment to safeguarding the millions of Americans who cruise each year," said the Hammers' daughters, Jill Hammer Malott and Kelly Hammer Lankford.

More information:

Hammers' Law would amend an over 100-year-old law, known as the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA). In modern times, the cruise industry uses DOHSA to avoid financial accountability for the wrongful deaths of passengers who do not have dependents or income. These passengers -- including children, students, and retirees -- account for a significant portion of the 12 million Americans who cruise each year.

As retirees, Larry and Christy Hammer did not have financial dependents or wages, so antiquated DOHSA rules restricted the Hammer family from pursuing the accountability that would likely be available for wrongful deaths occurring on dry land. DOHSA was amended in 2000 to allow the same kind of compensation for victims of major airline accidents.

Passing Hammers' Law will enable future families to pursue fairer compensation when similar tragedies strike. And it will hold the responsible cruise line accountable by allowing for compensation that more fully reflects the company's negligence.

Hammers' Law was first introduced in 2019.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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