How Can a Maui Fire Lawyer Assist With Claims for Emotional Distress?
How Can a Maui Fire Lawyer Assist With Claims
The recent Maui wildfires were catastrophic, devastating the lives and livelihood of thousands of people in West Maui and Lahaina. They were caused by a combination of factors, including the National Weather Service’s high wind and fire warnings, dry kindling in the form of stoked brush and uninsulated power lines and the negligence of Hawaiian Electric Company.
It’s reported that the fires started when power lines owned by the utility company fell down during a high-speed wind storm brought on by Hurricane Dora. The resulting fires swept through the town of Lahaina, consuming homes, businesses and historical buildings in their wake. Over 115 people were killed and over 2,200 structures destroyed. The devastation was unprecedented, and victims deserve justice.
Many of the victims suffered emotional distress, a severe mental anguish that can be hard to quantify but can also be awarded in a personal injury claim. An experienced Maui fire lawyers could help victims seek financial compensation for their injuries and losses.
How Can a Maui Fire Lawyer Assist With Claims for Emotional Distress?
Emotional distress is a mental anguish that can be hard to prove in court, especially since it’s often feigned. However, a victim may still be entitled to compensation if they can show that their distress was caused by the negligence of others, such as a company or person that failed to follow safety rules and regulations.
Several law firms are investigating claims on behalf of victims of the Maui wildfires. One firm, San Antonio’s Watts Guerra, has already filed a lawsuit alleging that the island’s largest electric company caused the Lahaina fires by removing power poles and other equipment from the scene before investigators arrived. The company could be guilty of tampering with evidence, which is against federal guidelines and can undermine an investigation.
Other lawyers have partnered with local attorneys to offer free legal consultations and advice to victims. Attorneys like Butch Wagner, a Maui native, have extensive experience handling personal injury cases on the mainland and are well-versed in Hawaii laws and court systems. Wagner has been verified by his peers as a highly skilled and ethical legal professional.
Another partner at the firm is Mike Danko, a seasoned trial attorney with significant civil rights and criminal defense experience. He has a strong background in catastrophic injury claims and was named one of America’s Best Lawyers by US News and World Report. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Hawaii. He earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College, magna cum laude, and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is currently serving as a consultant to the Malama Law Group pending his admission to the Hawaii bar pro hac vice. He brings to the team his extensive experience in explosive and mechanical injury cases, including the wrongful deaths of people who were hurt by explosions and fires. He has a long record of success representing clients from Maui and Oahu, and has taken cases to verdict in court.