Maui Fire Lawyers Negotiate
When a disaster strikes, people expect insurance companies to honor their policies and provide them with compensation for the losses they have suffered. When that does not occur, it can cause significant frustration and delay in the recovery process. At Malama Law Group, our Maui fire lawyers understand how devastating it can be when an insurance company fails to fulfill its obligations. When this happens, we are ready to fight for the victims.
We are committed to holding insurance companies accountable for their failures and wrongdoing, and we will work tirelessly to make sure that our clients receive the compensation they deserve. Our team includes a former insurance claims adjuster and an attorney who is an AV-rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubble, one of the most respected peer review ratings in the legal profession. Mike Danko has obtained significant experience in complex civil litigation, including catastrophic wildfires and explosion cases. He earned an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College, magna cum laude, and a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is admitted to practice before the Hawaii Supreme Court and is a member of the Maui bar.
Several Maui fire lawyers have already been filed against Hawaiian Electric for its role in the 2018 Lahaina wildfires. These suits allege that MECO failed to shut off power in West Maui when the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning, despite having knowledge of drier conditions there and of the high risk for wind-driven fires. MECO also is accused of failing to perform adequate safety maintenance on its infrastructure.
Maui Fire Lawyers Negotiate With Insurance Companies
Plaintiff lawyers are flooding Hawaii with billboards, radio ads and online advertisements seeking clients who have been burned by the utility’s alleged negligence. They resemble the lawyers who quickly descended on California after the 2017 North Bay and 2018 Camp fires, signing up fire victims by the thousands.
But a lawsuit filed by residents of West Maui says MECO knew about the higher risk in the region for years, due to climate change and an increase in flammable non-native vegetation. MECO also knew that hurricane winds could increase the risks, the lawsuit says.
The lawsuits filed against the power utility reflect a growing concern in Hawaii about insurance companies’ refusal to pay fair and reasonable claims after disasters. The insurance industry has been forced to reassess its risk in Hawaii due to recent events, such as the Kaloko Dam breach and the dramatic Marco Polo Fire. Some insurance companies have even decided to pull out of the state, leaving homeowners, condominium and renters policyholders with fewer options.