The Lahaina wildfires devastated Maui in August, killing over 100 people and destroying some 2,000 acres. Evidence is now emerging that negligence may have caused or worsened the Maui wildfires. In response, attorneys are filing claims against various parties accusing them of being responsible. As estimated economic losses approach $6 billion dollars, victims are hoping the courts can provide some measure of relief. However, litigation outcomes are uncertain, and there is no guarantee that any specific recovery will be obtained for individual victims.
Did you or a loved one suffer injury or loss in the Maui wildfires? Let Rueb Stoller Daniel review your case and let you know about your legal options. Contact us today.
Current Litigation Status:
Multiple lawsuits have been filed regarding the Maui wildfires. This litigation is ongoing and has not yet been resolved. Information presented in this article is based on allegations in pending lawsuits and publicly available information. No court has made final determinations regarding liability or damages. Settlement negotiations, if any, have not been finalized.
We cannot predict:
- Whether liability will be established
- What damages, if any, will be awarded
- How long the litigation process will take
- Individual compensation amounts
Who Is Responsible for the Maui Wildfires?
Various entities, primarily utility companies, have been accused of playing some role in the Lahaina wildfires. A major target at this time is Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO). While the cause is still under investigation, it is known that HECO did not have a severe weather shutdown plan. Other power companies in areas where wildfires are common do have such a plan. This may point to negligence.
HECO has acknowledged that its power lines started the wildfires. When power lines fall over, fires can start. Downed electric poles, faulty transmission equipment, and live wires can easily trigger fires. High winds and dry conditions only add to the problem. Despite this, HECO argues that firefighters were to blame for not better containing the blaze.
There is precedence for holding power companies responsible when their lines cause fires. Power companies in California, for example, have burned more than one million acres. Meanwhile, approximately $10 billion in settlements have been reached with these utilities.
Why Might HECO Be Liable?
Last year, HECO applied to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission for a $189.7 million climate change threat initiative. This included a proposed rate hike to its customers. The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission denied the request.
Notably, however, the request included wildfire mitigation efforts that could have lessened the severity of the recent wildfires. It may have even prevented the wildfires altogether. HECO’s application therefore recognized a significant risk of its power lines sparking a wildfire. Its acknowledgment that the lines did in fact trigger the blaze raises even more legal issues.
The question then becomes: since the utilities commission denied the initiative, could HECO have done anything? Although the company wanted a rate hike, some of its initiative could have been implemented without one. This could have protected property on Maui, HECO’s own equipment, and the company’s shareholders.
Tragically, inaction by HECO arguably set in place conditions that allowed the Lahaina wildfires to be so devastating. The argument is that HECO was well aware of what was coming, or should have been. But it didn’t prepare for the worst.
Could the Power Have Been Shut Down?
One of the steps that HECO arguably could have taken was to implement a power shutdown plan. California power companies learned of the importance of this the hard way with its wildfires. Power lines with the greatest potential to fall over and spark a fire could have been shut down when necessary. If a shutdown plan had been implemented, perhaps the pain and loss experienced by so many could have been avoided.
For its part, HECO has defended its decision to not shut down power. The company claims that doing so would have prevented water pumps, necessary for fighting fires, from operating. But fire hydrants would not have needed to operate had a massive wildfire not first been started.
Were You Affected By The Maui Wildfires? Let Us Evaluate Your Claim
Litigation is ongoing against Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and other potentially responsible parties. As evidence continues to emerge, the extent of various parties’ roles in the wildfires will become clearer. If you or a loved one suffered injury or loss in the Maui wildfires, you may have legal options.
Free Case Evaluation – No Obligation
Rueb Stoller Daniel offers a free consultation to:
- Review the circumstances of your losses
- Explain the current status of Maui wildfire litigation
- Discuss your potential legal options
- Answer your questions about the claims process
No Fees Unless We Win:
- Free case evaluation with no obligation
- No attorney fees unless we recover compensation
- No costs if there is no recovery
- Contingency fee is typically a percentage of any recovery
Important Limitations:
While we work diligently to pursue compensation for wildfire victims, we cannot guarantee:
- That you will qualify as a plaintiff in the litigation
- Any specific outcome or settlement amount
- The timeline for the resolution of your claim
- That liability will be established against any defendant
Wildfire litigation is complex and fact-specific. Outcomes vary significantly based on individual circumstances, the strength of evidence, and legal determinations that have not yet been made.
Let Rueb Stoller Daniel take a look at your situation and advise as to your legal rights. Call us today at 1-866-CALL-RSD or contact us through our website to learn more.
Disclaimer: Contacting our firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case is evaluated individually. We cannot guarantee we will accept every case or that litigation will result in compensation.
