Maui Fire Lawsuits
Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn is filing lawsuits on behalf of citizens impacted by the Maui fires. Lawsuits allege that Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and other parties are responsible for the fires that destroyed property, livelihoods, homes, and most devastatingly, lives. These fires were one of the most deadly and dangerous wildfires in U.S. recorded history.
If you have been impacted by the Maui wildfires, contact us today for a free consultation. We are investigating cases that involve:
- Death of a family member
- Personal Injury – burns, injury trying to escape fires, and other personal injuries
- Loss of home or personal property
- Loss of business or business property
- Insurance shortfalls resulting from maxed coverage limits
- And other claims
Local Maui Legal Representation and Expertise When It Matters Most
To best serve our clients, NGRV is proud to partner with Maui Attorney, Ilana Waxman at Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman. Ilana and her firm have been serving Maui residents and all of Hawai’i for over 45 years. NGRV has over 50 years of combined experience litigating devastating large-scale events on behalf of thousands of injured parties.
When You Are Ready, We Are Here To Help You Recover From The Maui Fires
We know this is a difficult time. If you would like to fill out this form we can get back to you at your earliest convenience.
We recognize that this unprecedented tragedy has affected our families and community in unimaginable ways and that you may be looking for answers to a variety of questions and concerns.
What Happened And Who Is Responsible For The Maui Fires?
It is still early in the process and it will take a long time for the investigations to be completed. We are investigating HECO’s responsibility to shut down power lines after several warnings of strong wind and reports of downed power lines. We are also investigating the liability of other entities involved.
HECO and other entities were or should have been aware of the extreme potential danger of wildfires in Maui, particularly west Maui. In 2020, Maui County published a Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (Report). The Report stated, “natural hazards (such as tornadoes, hurricanes, etc…) increase the probability of wildfires by producing fuel in both urban and rural settings”. The report goes on to discuss the highest risk areas, which included Lahaina, as well as medium risk for Kula.
The report also indicated a high chance for future wildfires in West Maui
A red flag warning was issued on August 7, 2023 due to Hurricane Dora. Unlike Hurricane Iniki, initial investigations have found that the Maui Fires were not merely a natural occurrence. Instead, the fires are potentially the result of a culmination of negligence and failure to act by multiple corporations and government agencies:
- Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI), as the parent company of HECO & MECO
- Maui Electric Company (MECO), as a subsidiary of HECO & HEI
- Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO)
- Vulnerable power grids increase the risk of wildfires. HECO had knowledge of the risks of fire in the affected areas of Maui but failed to invest in essential infrastructural improvements, further contributing to potential wildfire risks. Furthermore, there is surmounting evidence that HECO’s failure to shut down power lines directly affected the ignition of the wildfires. HECO should have implemented a power shut-down policy when Maui received extreme weather warnings of incoming high winds and wildfire risks to the area.
- The County of Maui
- Hawaii Public Utilities Commission
- Prior to the Lahaina fires, HECO submitted wildfire mitigation plans in an effort to make the state’s power grid more resilient, which included deploying smart fuse devices, replacing conductors, and faster response times. In 2022, HECO submitted a climate change threats initiative to the PUC, which was denied.
- The State of Hawaii & Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate (KSBE)
- One lawsuit named KSBE and the State of Hawaii as defendants for their role as a major landowners and facilitating the fire that destroyed the Plaintiff’s home, resulting in her death. Attorney for the Plaintiff asserted, “The vegetation was unmanaged and out of control. And that dry grass that was overgrown provided fuel for the fire. Under the conditions that existed that day, everyone was on notice they should have done something years ago”.
Local Representation And Expertise When It Matters Most: Meet Our Maui Fires Lawsuit Team
To best serve our clients, NGRV is proud to partner with Maui Attorney, Ilana Waxman at Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman (GDW), to bring claims on behalf of Lahaina and Kula residents, families, businesses, and anyone who has suffered a loss as a result of the fires on Maui. Ilana Waxman, the Maui-based managing partner of GDW and her colleagues have been serving Maui residents and all of Hawai’i for over 35 years. NGRV has over 50 years of combined experience litigating devastating large-scale on behalf of thousands of injured parties. Together, with NGRV’s own Hawaii-born and raised, Native Hawaiian mass tort attorney, Ava Marie Makanamakamaemaikalanialohi Acosta Cavaco, our firms are investigating all claims on behalf of the affected families.
Current Maui Fire Events:
9/14/2023 New York Times; Number of Missing in Wildfires down to 66
9/13/2023 The Hill; US House Energy and Commerce Committee Set Hearing on Maui Wildfires
9/13/2023 NBC News; Growing Fury from Maui Residents over the direction of early recovery efforts
9/5/2023 KITV; Family of Lahaina fire victim speaks out, after lawsuit filed against Hawaii and Kamehameha Schools
8/28/2023 Reuters.com; Hawaiian Electric denies Maui lawsuit claims about cause of wildfire
8/28/2023 abcnews.com; Hawaiian Electric Blames Maui County, Firefighters for subsequent fires
8/25/2023 Star Advertiser; Maui County Sues Hawaiian Electric
8/24/2023 Associated Press; In deadly Maui fires, many had no warning and no way out. Those who dodged a barricade survived
8/15/2023 Washington Post; Power lines likely caused Maui’s first reported fire, video and data show
8/9/2023: Whitehouse.com releases Statement from President Joe Biden regarding federal aid for Maui Fires
8/8-18/2023 Civilbeat.com; Live Update Maui Fires
