Watts, Panish &, Ravipudi: Maui Wildfire Plaintiffs Reach $4 Billion Settlement
$4 billion in compensation, from state, county, other stakeholders to resolve Maui fire claims
Story by Nicole Napuunoa
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Gov. Green announced a “historic settlement” Friday for those who filed claims in the Maui fires.
The seven defendants–state of Hawai‘i, County of Maui, Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, West Maui Land Co., Hawaiian Telcom and Spectrum/Charter Communications–will pay $4.037 billion in compensation.
The settlement agreement is subject to final documentation and court approval and is conditional on the resolution of already paid insurance claims. The legislature must approve the state’s contribution to the settlement as well.
“This Global Settlement of over $4 billion will help our people heal. My priority as Governor was to expedite the agreement and to avoid protracted and painful lawsuits so as many resources as possible would go to those affected by the wildfires as quickly as possible. Settling a matter like this within a year is unprecedented, and it will be good that our people don’t have to wait to rebuild their lives as long as others have in many places that have suffered similar tragedies,” Gov. Green said in a news release.
“We want to thank Governor Green for his hard work in making this happen for the people of Maui,” said Aaron Creps, attorney for victims. “It really is unprecedented for a disaster of this scope to be resolved so quickly.”
Attorney Jesse Creed, of Panish, Shea, Ravipudi, LLP, who is a co-liaison counsel in the case said the settlement will give fair justice to those affected and will allow them to rebuild their lives.
“But the fight goes on against the greedy insurance companies. They did not agree to this global settlement and are trying to take money back from the victims who paid their premiums and send it off-island to pad their profits. The insurance companies shouldn’t take a penny as long as the victims are not fully compensated,” Creed told KHON2.
Approximately 450 lawsuits were filed by individuals, businesses and insurance companies in state and federal courts.
The settlement was reached after more than four months of mediation.
“It’s a great thing for all of our clients,” said Tony Takitani, attorney for victims. “I think it’s a great thing for the people on the west side and for the people who aren’t here any more and who had to leave. I think the sooner we can do a settlement the better and faster chance we have of healing.”
Hawaiian Electric says it will contribute nearly $2 billion. In a statement, President and CEO Scott Seu said not only is this good for our community, but the settlement represents the best outcome for HEI.
“No amount of money is ever going to bring back the lives that were lost or restore the town that was destroyed,” said Creps. “But we do believe that it is the best deal.”
Kamehameha Schools said it is deeply committed to supporting the healing of families and aiding the restoration of the community.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said this settlement is critical to the survivor’s to move forward and heal.
The agreement is just the first step. Attorneys say one massive hurdle – the insurance companies wanting the $2 billion they say they’re owed from policies they paid out.
“At this time we think it’s so much more important and we feel this in our bones that it’s so much more important to make the victims more whole as much as possible,” said Takitani.
The settlement is subject to court approval. And state legislature must also approve the money being paid by the state. Once that’s done, payments could start by the middle of next year.
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