Hawaiian Electric class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Three law firms filed a class action lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric following deadly wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, last week that are confirmed to have killed at least 96 people.
- Why: The class action lawsuit claims Hawaiian Electric chose not to de-energize its power lines, which were downed by high winds on the island and may have sparked the fires.
- Where: The deadly wildfires occurred in Maui, Hawaii.
- How can I find help: If you were injured by the Maui fires financially — through loss of wages, property loss, canceled flights, housing costs or other means — or if you sustained pain, suffering or physical injuries, you may be eligible to join a free Maui fires lawsuit investigation.
Downed Hawaiian Electric power lines may have caused the deadly wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, last week, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit claims Hawaiian Electric decided not to de-energize its power lines during a high wind watch and red flag warning for wind conditions on Maui prior to the fires, which tore through the area of Lahaina, CNN reports.
The utility is alleged to have known its power lines could potentially spark a fire under the wind conditions yet chose to not de-energize the poles even after learning some of them had fallen to the ground, according to CNN.
Hawaiian Electric, which says it provides power to 95% of Hawaii’s residents, does not have a formal shut-off program in place, according to Vice President Joe Kelly, who told CNN on Sunday it will work with the state and county on their review of the incident.
“Our immediate focus is on supporting emergency response efforts on Maui and restoring power for our customers and communities as quickly as possible,” Kelly told CNN.
Hawaii attorney general initiates formal review of deadly Maui wildfires
The Hawaii attorney general initiated a formal review of the incident, including into the state’s emergency response and any decisions leading up to the deadly wildfires, CNN reports.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu reportedly issued at least four warnings that dry and windy conditions could present a fire risk for some areas of Hawaii in the lead-up to the fires.
The class action lawsuit alleges Hawaiian Electric, despite the warnings, could have, but chose not to, initiate what is known as a public safety power shutoff, which would have temporarily paused service to certain areas at an increased risk of fire, CNN reports.
It is yet to be confirmed what officially started the wildfires, which killed at least 96 people as of Sunday evening, CBS News reports.
Have you been impacted by the deadly wildfires in Maui? Let us know in the comments.
Honolulu and Los Angeles-based law firm LippSmith LLP, together with Foley Bezek Behle and Curtis LLP and Robertson & Associates LLP, filed the class action lawsuit against Maui Electric Company Limited; Hawaiian Electric Company Inc.; Hawaii Electric Light Company Inc.; and their parent company, Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. on behalf of the victims and survivors of the Lahaina Fire, according to Spectrum News.
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