Do You Qualify for a Maui Wildfire Property Damage Lawsuit?

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On August 8, 2023, the whole country watched in shock as a massive fire destroyed billions of dollars worth of property and claimed lives in Maui, Hawaii. While investigations are still ongoing, there's every reason to believe that negligence played a role in igniting these wildfires. If you or a loved one was impacted, our team at Morgan & Morgan can help determine whether you qualify for compensation.  Read on to learn more. 

Eligibility for Compensation After Maui Wildfire

Individuals who suffered losses or property damage due to the wildfires may qualify for compensation. Damaged property, in this case, may include the following: 

• Destruction of homes and buildings
• Loss of personal belongings (furniture, clothing, electronics)
• Structural damage from fire and heat
• Smoke and soot contamination
• Water damage from firefighting efforts
• Damage to vehicles and outdoor equipment
• Loss of landscaping and natural surroundings
• Debris and hazardous material cleanup needs
• Damage to utilities (electric, gas, water lines)
• Long-term property devaluation due to fire damage

Similarly, families that lost their loved ones in the wildfires may also qualify for compensation. According to the New York Times, 102 people died as a result of the Maui wildfires, and at least two victims are still missing.

Legal Grounds for Seeking Compensation

The Maui wildfires shouldn't have happened in the first place. A federal investigation into the cause of the Lahaina fire revealed that the fire was caused by “re-energization of broken power lines,” which “caused sparks that ignited unmaintained vegetation in the area.” If the power lines hadn’t been re-energized, or if someone had properly maintained the vegetation around the power poles, the Lahaina fire may well have never happened. In other words, someone somewhere was negligent.

When negligence is the cause of an injury, death, or property damage, the victims are usually eligible for some form of compensation.

How Negligence Might Have Contributed to the Wildfires in Maui  

Several reports have shown how unprepared Maui authorities were before the disaster. The National Weather Service, for instance, predicted strong winds of speeds of up to 60 miles per hour coupled with warm temperatures and dry conditions. These three factors alone were not enough to cause wildfires, but they set the stage for the disaster to strike.  

Hawaiian Electric, the company that provides electricity to more than 95% of Hawai’i’s 1.4 million residents, installed about 60,000 wooden power poles across the island of Maui. The problem? The poles were built to"an obsolete 1960s standard." Worse, many of the poles were, and still are, in a state of disrepair – making them prime candidates for failure in a wind event like the one that caused the Lahaina fire. Worse still, Hawaiian Electric used – and still uses – uninsulated power lines, which are more likely to spark and ignite in vegetation. 

Hawaiian Electric knew that their poles and lines posed a serious risk to the island's residents. Yet, they failed to de-energize the lines. Video evidence from various locations across the island showed fallen powerlines sparking in the dry, combustible vegetation beneath them. So, there's reason to believe that the Maui wildfires could have been prevented, but for the negligence of Hawaiin Electric and the other parties responsible for maintaining and operating the poles, lines, and nearby vegetation.  

Why You Need an Attorney

The parties who allegedly caused the Maui wildfires are blaming each other and trying to evade liability.

For instance, Hawaiian Electric blamed the Maui Country Fire Department for the fire that broke out in the afternoon. This is after it was revealed that Hawaiian Electric failed to de-energize the power lines, that started the fires earlier that morning.

If this is how these entities treat each other, imagine how they’d treat you. Don’t navigate this process alone. 

At Morgan & Morgan, we understand that you and your case are unique. That's why we offer individualized attention to anyone who was injured, lost property, or lost a loved one in the Maui wildfires. 

We know the tactics these big corporations use to avoid responsibility for their negligence. Our attorneys also understand the importance of getting you back on your feet as soon as possible, so that you can move on with your life. Getting adequate compensation for your loss is a crucial step in that process.

We Are a Family Protecting Families

The Maui fires claimed more than 102 lives, destroyed 17,000-plus acres of property, and caused more than $5.5 billion in damage. These losses left unimaginable pain and heartbreak in the hearts of families, friends, and even tourists visiting Maui.

If that's what you're dealing with, know that we're here for you. That's because, at Morgan & Morgan, we treat our clients like family, not just another case number walking in the door.

In fact, the need to fight for family is the reason our law firm exists in the first place. When Tim, the brother of our firm’s founder, John Morgan, suffered a life-changing injury while working at Disney World more than three decades ago, he needed someone to fight for him. John Morgan hired the wrong lawyer, and Disney refused to settle.  Disney’s mistreatment of Tim paved the way for the birth of Morgan &  Morgan, America's largest injury firm. 

After more than three decades and more than $20 billion recovered, our goal remains the same: to fight for the people. 

Get a Free Case Review

Morgan & Morgan has helped more than 500,000 clients across America get compensation for injuries and losses sustained due to someone else's negligence. If you or your loved ones were impacted by the Maui wildfires, we'd love to fight for you. And, when you hire us, you pay nothing unless we get you compensation. 

Get in touch with us today to get started with a free, no-obligation case evaluation. 

Advertising Material. Bora S. Kayan, Esq. is responsible for the content of this advertisement. Cases may be associated with, or referred to, other law firms as co-counsel or referral counsel in these and other jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This post is not legal advice. If you need legal advice, you should consult a lawyer.