Maui Global Settlement Update
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On August 8, 2023, historic Lahaina and Upcountry Maui were devastated by wildfires. The fires claimed the lives of 102 residents and left thousands in the community suffering from loss and injuries, including burns, smoke inhalation, and grief over lost loved ones. More than 2,200 structures were lost, totaling roughly $5.52 billion in damages. Since the fires, attorneys representing individual plaintiffs who suffered as a result of the fires have been working tirelessly to find a solution to help the thousands of victims obtain compensation for their losses and begin the process of rebuilding their community.
Tentative Global Settlement of Maui Fire Cases
On Friday, August 2, 2024, the Individual Action Plaintiffs and Defendants agreed to a Term Sheet that established a global settlement framework to resolve all Maui Fire claims for $4.037 billion. While there is still much work to be done before this tentative settlement agreement is finalized, it is an important step towards helping the Maui Fire survivors recover from the devastating losses suffered last year.
This tentative settlement has been the result of months of extensive negotiations by all parties and is something we truly believe is in the best interest of all victims, as it gets compensation to fire victims as quickly as possible. This is because, under the settlement, Hawaiian Electric will avoid bankruptcy, which would have made the process of obtaining compensation for fire victims much lengthier and more complex. That said, no plaintiff is required to accept any settlement under this proposed framework. Every plaintiff may “opt out” and pursue their claims individually. Once we have more details on the proposed settlement framework, we can further discuss your options and the relative benefits of each.
Insurance Subrogation Issue
The global settlement is conditioned on the resolution of various insurance companies’ claims for reimbursement of amounts they have paid out for property loss and other damages related to the fires—a process called “subrogation.” Because the insurance companies who paid out claims are refusing to accept a reasonable portion of the global settlement, we have filed a motion asking Judge Peter Cahill to limit the insurers’ ability to recover.
Claims Administration Process
While our litigation team works to resolve the insurance subrogation issues, we will work with you to establish proof of your damages related to the fires. This process includes describing how the fires affected each of our clients physically, mentally, and financially.
Connect With Our Maui Team To File a Claim
If you were one of the thousands affected by the Maui wildfires, it is not too late to make a claim. Speaking with an experienced natural disaster/wildfire attorney can significantly increase your chances of recovering the compensation you and your loved ones deserve. At Morgan & Morgan, we will fight to ensure your case is recognized and represented as it should be.
You do not need to take on this fight alone. If you or a loved one were directly affected by the Maui wildfire, connect with our team today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Our staff is working around the clock to help Maui fire victims get the justice they deserve, and we want to help you too.
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.