Maui Fire Lawsuit Attorneys
The death toll from the Maui wildfires continues growing while thousands of families have been displaced from their homes. If you have lost your home or your loved one has perished in the fire, our Maui fire lawyers can help you get the most from your homeowners’ insurance policy and pursue substantial compensation in a Maui fire lawsuit against the utility companies that may be responsible for the fire.
If you lost your home in the Maui wildfires, our experienced and supportive attorneys can help you through this difficult time. We are proudly partnering with attorney Brandee Faria at the Law Offices of Brandee J.K. Faria in Honolulu to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us now for a free case review.
Important Settlement Update
A $4 billion settlement has been proposed to resolve the legal cases related to last year’s deadly wildfires on Maui, affecting more than 2,000 victims.
Who Is Liable for the Fire in Lahaina?
While the cause of the fire is still officially under investigation, the current body of evidence seems to implicate the utility companies in Lahaina, including the following:
- Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI)
- Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO)
- Maui Electric Company (MECO)
- The County of Maui Department of Water Supply
- The Maui County government and respective city governments
How Are the Electric Companies Potentially Liable?
The power poles and other infrastructure maintained by Maui Electric are old, and the company may have failed to perform periodic maintenance and upgrades in compliance with state codes. As a result, these poles were unable to withstand the high winds that occurred in the hours leading up to the wildfires.
Electric companies are responsible for maintaining equipment and being familiar with the limitations of their own equipment.
Based on the numerous wind and fire warnings, Maui Electric had a duty to take reasonable precautionary action to protect the public from wildfires. Since the infrastructure was not up to par, the only reasonable action may have been to turn off power during the high winds.
A company that causes harm through negligence is liable for the damages that result. This applies to any acts or omissions by subsidiaries, employees, or anyone else acting on behalf of the company. Maui Electric Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hawaii Electric, which is owned by Hawaiian Electric Industries.
On Thursday of August 24th, Maui County sued Hawaiian Electric for damages over the deadly wildfires.
Liability of the Department of Water Supply
Firefighters were prevented from extinguishing flames as quickly as possible because many of the fire hydrants in Lahaina were empty. This could be caused by mismanagement by the Maui County Department of Water Supply. The failure to ensure fire hydrants were filled likely caused the following:
- Homes and property to be burned down that could have been saved
- Deaths that could have been prevented
- Severe injuries from smoke inhalation, burns, and falling debris
- Injuries to firefighters who were forced to embark on dangerous rescues
City and County Governments
Fire victims received little or no warning about the fire. One of the concerns our skilled Maui fire attorneys will investigate is whether Maui County and/or the individual city governments could have prevented deaths or property damage by issuing more warnings or earlier evacuation orders. If these government entities were negligent, we will help you hold them accountable.
Impact on the Lahaina Community
As residents anxiously awaited rescue or news about the well-being of their loved ones, the death toll continued to rise. Approximately 86 percent of the more than 2,200 structures destroyed were people’s homes.
The losses to the community are devastating. Numerous historical structures have been destroyed. The lifeblood of Lahaina is the tourism industry, and major tourist attractions have been destroyed. This can cost many residents their livelihood. The air quality is extremely poor, threatening survivors with long-term health effects.
The losses suffered in a fire are tangible and intangible. People’s priceless possessions as well as beloved pets and livestock have been tragically taken from them. For some, everything they spent a lifetime earning, gathering, saving, and cherishing is gone.
Damages and Compensation Available for the Maui Wildfire
If your home has been damaged or destroyed in a wildfire, you deserve compensation, which may come from your homeowners’ insurance policy and a Maui fire lawsuit against the companies that are responsible for the fire.
Homeowners’ Insurance Compensation
If you owned your home, your homeowners’ insurance policy is supposed to cover the following:
- Replacement or repair of your home
- Replacement of your furnishings and possessions
- Replacement of outbuildings and fences
- The cost of lodging due to being unable to live in your home
Unfortunately, many insurance companies refuse to cover these damages as they should. They may rely on clauses in their complicated contracts to evade payment, or they grossly underestimate the cost of replacing or repairing your home.
Our Maui fire lawyers are committed to helping you recover as much as possible from your homeowners’ insurance. If you are pursuing a lawsuit against the companies responsible for the fires, we will also help you file your homeowners’ insurance claim and ensure your insurance company pays you the amount it owes. We offer this service at no extra charge.
We can also help you pursue an insurance bad faith lawsuit against the insurance company if it refuses to cover your damages as it should.
Compensation in a Maui Fire Lawsuit
Homeowners’ insurance does not cover all of your losses. When you lose your home in a fire, your losses often extend beyond the physical structure of your home and possessions.
- You may have to leave your community.
- You may be unable to work due to injuries or your place of employment being destroyed by fire.
- You or your children may have suffered emotional trauma as a result of the fire.
- You may have sustained injuries that require medical attention.
- You may have lost valuables that are not covered by insurance.
A Maui fire lawsuit can help you recover these losses so you can restore your life to the fullest extent possible. These damages can be substantial. Our attorneys have helped clients recover millions of dollars after losing everything in wildfires. The amount you recover will vary based on the full extent of your losses and how much they will impact you now and in the future.
When you contact our Maui fire attorneys, we will schedule a free case evaluation and determine how much compensation you will be able to recover based on your specific circumstances. Recoverable damages in a Maui fire lawsuit may include the following:
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Emotional distress
- Property damage not covered by insurance
- Loss of society
- Inconvenience
- Disfigurement
If the investigation of the Maui fires finds evidence that the utility companies were grossly negligent, you may also qualify to recover punitive damages.
What If My Family Member Was Killed in the Maui Fire?
If you have tragically lost a family member in the Maui fire, our understanding and experienced Maui fire lawyers can help you recover compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit, which may include the following:
- Loss of love and affection
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of comfort
- Loss of marital care
- Loss of protection
- Loss of parental guidance, training, and education
- Loss of your loved one’s income
- Lost inheritance
- Any other financial losses brought on by the death
- Burial expenses
- Your loved one’s medical expenses, if applicable
When calculating damages in a wrongful death case, the lost income of the deceased will be calculated based on their lifetime earning potential had they survived. This alone can result in a significant damages award, in addition to the significant damages award you could recover for your emotional losses.
Wrongful death damages may be awarded to a surviving spouse, reciprocal beneficiary, children, parents, or dependents.
How Cutter Law Can Help Lahaina Residents Impacted By the Fire
Our wildfire attorneys at Cutter Law have helped hundreds of families recover millions of dollars from the California utility company Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and through their California fire insurance claims.
We have seen firsthand how devastating it is to lose your home to a wildfire. The parents of one of our own attorneys lost a home to a California wildfire. Through this experience and the relationships we formed with our wildfire clients, we have come to understand the deep sense of loss that accompanies the sudden destruction of your home and everything you have worked for.
We are passionate about helping fire victims restore their lives to the fullest extent possible. When you retain our compassionate fire lawyers, you can count on us to do the following:
- Advise you of your rights under your homeowner’s insurance policy
- File a civil lawsuit against the responsible utility companies
- Help you recover the maximum amount available from your homeowner’s insurance
- Skillfully negotiate a settlement with Maui Electric, Hawaii Electric, and Hawaii Electric Industries
- Calculate your case value
- Keep you updated about the progress of your case
- Treat you with empathy and respect
- Provide skilled representation and fearless advocacy with no upfront costs – you only pay if we win.
If you or your loved one has lost a home or otherwise experienced harm in the Maui fires, contact us online today to schedule a free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Maui Fire Insurance
Below are our answers to your questions about insurance coverage for the Maui wildfires.
What If My Insurance Doesn't Cover All of My Damages?
We have found through our decades of experience dealing with California fire insurance companies that insurance rarely covers all damages. Fortunately, you can pursue compensation for any losses not covered by insurance by filing a lawsuit against the companies responsible for the fire.
Why Won’t The Insurance Company Pay for My Claim?
We have found that homeowners are often underinsured, which may mean that the insurance company underestimated the replacement costs of your home when recommending coverage.
Some insurance companies act in bad faith to avoid paying claims. They may deny your claim on the basis of poor workmanship or claim that the value of your home was lower than it is. When you have an experienced wildfire attorney on your side, insurance companies are less likely to resort to bad-faith tactics.
I Don’t Have Insurance, and I’ve Lost Everything That I Own. Is There Anything That Can Be Done?
Yes, it is important that you contact an experienced wildfire attorney as soon as possible so you can pursue compensation for your property losses, mental anguish, medical bills, and lost wages through a Maui wildfire lawsuit. You can also receive temporary assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).
FEMA is offering two programs to help fire victims with immediate needs. The Transitional Sheltering Assistance program pays for a temporary stay in a pre-approved hotel or motel while you determine your housing plan. The Critical Needs Assistance Program provides a one-time $700 payment for urgent needs.
When you hire our Maui wildfire lawyers, we will help you locate resources while we pursue significant compensation to help you restore some sense of normalcy. Contact us today to get started.
Maui Wildfire Timeline
Maui County sued Hawaiian Electric seeking damages due to lethal wildfires allegedly caused by the company’s failure to maintain its equipment. The news comes amidst increased scrutiny of utility companies regarding their responsibility in preventing wildfire incidents.
The current death toll is at 106, adding to what is already the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in more than a century. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green estimates that there may be as many as 10 to 20 victims added to the death toll each day. On Tuesday, Maui County officials began releasing the names of victims.
Sixty people who were previously missing are found safe inside a house, but many are still missing.
The death toll rises to 99 people, and Governor Josh Green announces that this number will likely double over the next ten days.
The Upcountry/Kula fire is 60 percent contained, and the Lahaina fire is 85 percent contained. The Pulehu/Kihei fire is 100 percent contained.
Ninety-six deaths are confirmed, and countless others remain unaccounted for. Governor Josh Green estimates the total damages could be as high as $6 billion. The fires are still not fully contained.
The death toll rose to 89 people. Approximately 2,200 buildings and structures and 2,170 acres have burned.
Six fires are still burning in Maui and the Big Island. The Lahaina fire is 85 percent contained.
A class-action lawsuit is filed against Hawaiian Electric, alleging the company erred by keeping its power lines energized in the midst of the high wind warnings.
The death toll reaches 55, with numbers expected to rise as crews continue searching the charred ruins of Lahaina.
Approximately 11,000 people are without power, cell phone service is sporadic, and 2,000 people are living in six emergency shelters on the island.
The number of wildfire deaths climbs to 53 people as search teams continue search and rescue efforts.
Authorities are overwhelmed by the destruction and are unable to determine how many hundreds of buildings have been destroyed. The “older neighborhood” in Lahaina, a major tourist hub, is completely destroyed.
The death toll reaches 36 people, and many more are critically injured. As many as 271 structures in the community are burned, including homes. Three large fires remain active and out of control on Maui.
The fires begin early in the morning as small brush fires and rapidly consume homes and neighborhoods as the day unfolds.
4:46 p.m.
Video footage shows an entire neighborhood in Lahaina engulfed in flames
3:20 p.m.
The fire perimeter has reached 1,000 acres, and the Fire Department strongly urges residents of Pi’iholo and Olinda roads to evacuate.
2:30 p.m.
The fire is burning out of control near Lahainaluna Road, and residents begin rapidly fleeing their homes, some with harrowing escapes.
9:55 a.m.
Maui County issues an alert that the fire is 100 percent contained.
6:37 a.m.
Authorities receive the first reports of a dry grass fire on Lahainaluna Road
12:22 a.m.
An Upcountry brush fire is reported to authorities near Olinda Road, prompting evacuations.
Maui experiences strong winds with peak gusts of 45 to 58 miles per hour. Weather forecasters issue a “red flag warning” that high winds combined with drought conditions could increase the risk of wildfires.
The National Weather Service in Maui begins alerting the public about the danger of fire.
A flash drought begins in Maui, a dangerous weather condition that results in such dry conditions that moisture is sucked out of the ground and plants, leading to a vicious cycle of increasing heat and dry weather. These are ideal conditions for a wildfire.
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