Lawyer for Hawaii Fires Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Countless lives were forever changed on August 8, 2023, when felled power lines started a fire in Western Maui. According to Maui firefighters, the blaze was contained later that morning, but in the afternoon, the fire reignited at furious speed and devastated the town of Lahaina. FEMA has estimated that the total damage to property is around $5.52 billion. In addition, at least 115 people lost their lives, though this number is likely to increase in the upcoming days and weeks.

Sadly, only around 50 out of the 115 deceased victims have been identified so far. Many families are still trying to contact the police and make arrangements to identify their loved ones. Aside from the people that lost their lives, hundreds of residents and visitors remain on the missing persons list. The original count for missing persons from the fire was 385, but this is only an estimate that will surely change as more people, or their remains, are found.

Are you one of the many family members that lost someone to the wildfires in Westerns Maui? If so, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric, Maui County, or both of these entities. However, it’s essential to learn about the process for a wrongful death lawsuit and ensure that you take the right steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. For a free case review with a Hawaii wildfires wrongful death attorney, contact Normandie Law Firm. 

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Who Caused the Wildfires in Hawaii?

Unfortunately, it will take further investigation by various government agencies before we can fully answer this question. However, some degree of negligence was clearly involved based on what we know so far about the incident:

• Due to high winds in the area, numerous utility poles maintained by Hawaiian Electric were knocked down.
• The combination of downed power lines and prolonged dry weather conditions, along with dense vegetation in the area, caused a fire to ignite.
• Firefights from Maui County were called to put out the fire and reported at 9:55 AM that the blaze was 100% contained.
• That afternoon, the blaze reignited and started a series of fires that tore through Lahaina at rapid speed.

These fires have caused billions of dollars in property damage, along with burn injuries and health complications from smoke inhalation. Environmental experts are also concerned about the impact to people’s health from toxic ash and debris, along with soil contamination. In the meanwhile, Hawaiian Electric and Maui County are trying to avoid liability for the fires by saying that the other one is at fault.

The utility provider has argued that the county failed to properly contain the fire, which is the reason it blazed out of control. Maui County officials have fired back with a lawsuit on the grounds that Hawaiian Electric is responsible for why the fire started in the first place. They also allege that the company failed to turn off power to the lines, even though high winds and extremely dry weather increased the likelihood of fires from downed power lines.

While these are interesting legal issues that require further examination, victims need immediate help to deal with the losses they’ve suffered through no fault of their own. This includes surviving family members who are scrambling to make funeral arrangements and settle their loved one’s estate. Our law firm is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so please contact us if you lost a spouse or family member to the wildfires in Hawaii.

Compensation from a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Filing a lawsuit after a loved one’s death may seem distasteful, but this is a necessary action for many families who are left with numerous financial losses due to an unexpected death. Family members and spouses must also deal with the emotional pain and trauma from losing someone to an accident that could have been prevented. It’s also worth noting that a wrongful death lawsuit may be the only way for these families to receive justice, considering that many cases do not meet the standard for criminal prosecution.

So, what types of payments can you recover as someone who is eligible for a Hawaii fires wrongful death compensation claim? Monetary damages in a wrongful death lawsuit typically include:

• Burial / funeral costs
• Payment for medical expenses
• Loss of expected income and other monetary benefits (healthcare, retirement savings, etc.)
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium 
• Attorney’s fees 

Do I Need an Attorney to File a Hawaii Wildfires Wrongful Death Claim?

Legally, you are allowed to represent yourself in any legal case, including claims for deaths that were caused by another party’s negligence. However, lawsuits for wrongful death are extremely complex for a number of reasons, and it’s in your best interest to seek guidance from an experienced attorney.

The authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire, but already, there is conflicting information from various news sources. Getting to the truth of why these fires happened and who is ultimately responsible is essential if you are to succeed in a compensation claim for negligent death. This is why victims are strongly encouraged to obtain legal representation as soon as possible.

If nothing else, we would like the opportunity to advise you of your rights and the legal actions that are available to you. All you have to do is contact us at your earliest convenience and schedule a free consultation. A lawyer with experience in wrongful death lawsuits is available to help you with any questions and concerns, including:

• What is the statute of limitations for a Maui wildfires wrongful death claim?
• How much can I receive from a lawsuit if my family member died in the Hawaii fires?
• How long does it typically take to settle a wrongful death lawsuit?
• Which family members are allowed to file a claim for wrongful death benefits?

Free Legal Services from the Lawyers of Normandie

In spite of on-going investigations, it’s clear that there are many questions we still need answers to when it comes to recent wildfires in Maui. At best, the total number of deceased and missing individuals is an estimate, and it remains to be seen just how many people will be affected by this tragedy. Even worse, the legal rights of victims have been pushed aside, while Maui County and Hawaiian Electric are engaged in a war of words.

Our goal, on the other hand, is to bring justice to victims and their family members, including those who lost a loved one in the fires that swept through Lahaina. In addition, we believe that clients should not have to choose between hiring an attorney and paying their bills as they wait for their case to settle. That’s something you’ll never have to worry about with the Zero Fee Guarantee. This is a policy where all legal fees are paid by the defendant at the end of your case. That means winning your case is the only way we get paid, so there is no out of pocket cost to you at any point.

To explore your rights and legal options with a Hawaii fires wrongful death attorney, contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm.

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