A wildfire claim is a lawsuit filed in civil court in the State of Hawaii pertaining to the damages that a person suffered as a result of a wildfire. This type of legal action is aimed to help the claimant recover compensation or make a financial recovery for any losses, damages, injuries, or negative impacts that they face that were caused by the Hawaii wildfires.
In general, wildfire claims can be filed by any person or entity that suffered a loss, injury, damages, or other negative impacts caused by wildfires. To determine if you are eligible to file a Maui wildfire claim, you must have suffered some type of personal injury, property damage, or both as a result of the Hawaii wildfires. Entitled parties can include any renter, property owner, or business entity. This can include any type of damage to your land, home, or personal belongings. It can also include any physical and emotional harm brought on by the tragic event. If you are unsure of whether you have a right to pursue legal actions, you should consult with a wildfire claims lawyer right away.
Gathering evidence is crucial in supporting your Maui or Lahaina wildfire claim. You should make sure that you keep all records including video or pictures on your phone.
If you are a homeowner who was insured for this tragedy, your homeowner’s insurance should pay for the cost of replacing or rebuilding your home depending upon the terms of your insurance contract. Your insurance company should treat you fairly, understanding that you paid insurance premiums to protect yourself financially from the loss of your home. Unfortunately, some insurance companies will use this tragedy to lowball customers or to delay payment by burying homeowners in red tape and documentation demands knowing that victims are vulnerable and often without financial resources.
The extent of coverage that is provided by your insurance policy generally depends on the specific terms and conditions within. There are some policies that only cover certain types of losses while specifically excluding others, such as damage caused by smoke or even landscape restoration expenses. Reviewing your policy carefully and consulting with an attorney will help to clarify what type of coverage you can expect based on your specific circumstances.
If your insurance claim is denied or you receive insufficient compensation, you have the right to seek full compensation for your damages by filing a lawsuit or claim against the wrongdoers who created or contributed to causing this preventable tragedy. Retaining a wildfire lawyer is vitally important to protect your rights.
In Hawaii, those harmed by wildfires typically have up to two years from the date of the incident to file a claim for damages. However, there are several circumstances that can impact the amount of time that you may have to file your claim. It is best to see guidance from an attorney who can guide you through the process and ensure all your court filings happen on time.
In general, waiting is not a good choice when pursuing a legal claim.
Yes. Though it is not required, hiring an experienced attorney who has experience with complex wildfire claims will significantly increase your chances of receiving fair compensation. We can navigate complex legal processes on your behalf and seek maximum compensation for your losses.
If you have any questions about your wildfire claim that were not answered here, you can give us a call or reach out on our live chat anytime to get the answers you need.