Displaced Homeowners and Renters May Obtain Compensation for Relocation Expenses, Hardship, Mental and Emotional Distress, and Lost Income
(HONOLULU) October 15, 2024– All Lahaina residents who lost their homes because of the devastating August 8, 2023, wildfire may be able to recover displacement damages, including relocation expenses, inconvenience, and mental or emotional suffering, such as anxiety and depression, and lost income through a Class Action Lawsuit filed by Honolulu attorneys Sam King, Jr. and Roy Y. Yempuku in the federal courts on August 5, 2024.
The wildfire displaced approximately 12,000 Lahaina residents. All of them are entitled to receive substantial damages, which they endured because of the deliberate indifference and negligence of the defendants responsible for the devastation, including Hawaiian Electric Company and its affiliates, Bishop Estate, and County emergency management employees.
“We decided to file this class action lawsuit specifically to obtain compensation for the thousands of innocent Lahaina residents who suffered the permanent, lifetime tragedy of being rendered homeless, and losing their jobs through no fault of their own. Our hope is that this lawsuit will give Lahaina wildfire survivors, especially kupuna and children, the ability to stay in Maui, or move back and live in Hawaii again,” said Attorney King. “We have been contacted by many displaced Lahaina residents who are fed up, angry, frustrated, and feeling hopeless.”
Attorney King said that Lahaina wildfire victims should not delay in seeking damages because the time to file a claim will run out next year.
Attorney King also said there is no attorneys’ fee if no recovery is obtained, and there are no up-front fees or costs for wildfire victims who join the lawsuit. Those interested in joining the displacement lawsuit can get more information at lahainawildfiredisplacedresident.com, or call (808) 521-6937 for a free consultation. Translation services are available.
Attorneys King and Yempuku are Honolulu personal injury attorneys who have decades of experience and have successfully represented hundreds of clients for their personal injury claims. Russell Myrick, an attorney licensed in California, is also working with King and Yempuku. Myrick has successfully settled several million-dollar class action lawsuits.
