Maui fire lawyers assist wildfire victims
When wildfires struck California last year, big out-of-town law firms flocked to the fire-ravaged towns of Sonoma and Napa, signing up victims by the thousands to sue their local electric utilities. Now, those same law firms have landed on Maui to sue power supplier Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. over the recent Lahaina wildfires that destroyed nearly 200 homes and other buildings, killed 115 people, and caused more than $5.5 billion in property damage.
One such suit filed Thursday alleges that HECO’s equipment failed, causing downed power lines to ignite dry brush and spread the fires through the town. The law firm behind the lawsuit states that the utility “failed to comply with industry standards and should have shut off power when extreme winds were forecast.”
HECO is Maui’s main energy provider, supplying every home and business on the island with electricity. According to the plaintiffs in this latest suit, the utility failed to follow recommendations from the National Weather Service that it should have temporarily shut off power to reduce fire risks. The lawsuit claims that if HECO had followed this recommendation, the devastating fires in Lahaina could have been prevented.
How can Maui fire lawyers assist wildfire victims?
The lawsuit also accuses the company of failing to install proper power line maintenance equipment, resulting in fires that were preventable. It alleges that the utility violated federal and state regulations by removing power poles, lines, and other equipment after the fires, which may have compromised evidence that could prove HECO’s negligence. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that HECO violated national guidelines by removing equipment before investigators from the National Forest Service could access the site of the fires to determine their cause.
Many homeowners in Maui have suffered financial losses as a result of the recent wildfires, and their insurance policies may not fully cover all of those losses. Our Maui fire lawyers can help you recover the monetary compensation that you deserve, including costs for replacing personal belongings, restoring landscaping, and rebuilding your home. We can also help you recover non-economic damages, such as emotional distress and lost enjoyment of life.
Our team is committed to helping our clients seek justice and hold those responsible accountable for this tragic disaster. We know that this is one of the worst fires in Maui history, and we are determined to do everything possible to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions or inaction that contributed to it.
If you or a loved one has been negatively impacted by the recent Maui wildfires, contact our firm today for a free consultation. We will evaluate your case and explain how our team can assist you in recovering the monetary compensation that you deserve. We accept cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our office is located in Lahaina and serves clients throughout the entire state of Hawaii. To get started, call or complete the online form. We look forward to hearing from you soon.