Wildfire-Related Lawsuits
Several lawsuits have been filed against Hawaii’s main electricity provider, Hawaiian Electric, over its role in the massive wildfire that devastated homes and businesses in Lahaina earlier this month. The company is accused of negligence and other violations that contributed to the fires, which killed more than 100 people and burned nearly 2,000 structures.
Maui fire lawyers say the company failed to take proper safety precautions in the face of dangerous weather conditions, such as high winds. The National Weather Service warned that the high winds could cause power lines to fall and ignite fires, which would spread quickly due to dry conditions. Despite these warnings, the company did not shut off power in areas where fire risk was high.
According to the lawsuit, HECO knew that the high winds would potentially topple power poles and knock down wires, but it continued to energize the lines as part of its normal operation. The company also knew that the wind could blow branches and other debris into the line, which would likely trigger a fire. The lawsuit claimed that the high wind and fire risk should have prompted the company to activate its safety plan, or PSPS, and temporarily shut off power in vulnerable areas.
Are There Deadlines For Filing Wildfire-Related Lawsuits?
The lawsuit claimed that the company never did this, despite giving it the lowest priority in a recent state regulatory filing. It also claimed that the company did not follow its own procedures for monitoring wildfires, including keeping up with fire weather reports and maintaining its equipment.
Moreover, the lawsuit alleges that HECO failed to monitor the condition of its power lines and keep vegetation trimmed to prevent contact with them. The company also failed to keep its own records on how long it had been since the last maintenance on its electrical equipment.
HECO disputed the allegations, saying it had no control over what happened outside its own infrastructure. It also pointed out that the county had made its own missteps. In its suit, the county said it wanted compensation for public resources damaged by the fires.
The wildfires have caused major disruptions and are expected to cost billions of dollars. They destroyed historic and cultural sites and left thousands of residents without homes. In addition to the loss of life, they also displaced countless pets and livestock.
Maui fire attorneys are assisting victims, survivors, and their families as they seek justice. If you are a survivor of the Lahaina fires and are seeking legal representation, please call our team of experienced Maui fire lawyers today.
While there are no deadlines for filing lawsuits over the deadly fires, we advise clients to consult an experienced Maui fire lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you get help, the more time you have to build a strong case. We are committed to helping our clients recover the damages they deserve. We work on a contingency basis, which means we will only get paid when we win your case.