How Do Fire Lawyers Gather Evidence in Large-Scale Wildfire Cases?
Fire Lawyers
As firefighters continue to battle wildfires that have devastated homes and communities across Hawaii, a number of plaintiff law firms have dispatched representatives from their offices to sign up residents and businesses in the path of the flames. These firms include Watts Guerra, Singleton Schreiber and Frantz Law Group. They are sending investigators to look at reports that suggest damaged power equipment could have sparked the Maui fires.
According to a class-action Maui fire lawyers, witnesses saw downed power lines sparking the initial fires that caused massive destruction in Lahaina and elsewhere. The suit alleges that the damage was caused by years of inaction by Hawaiian Electric to upgrade its power infrastructure, as well as to manage trees and other vegetation that could pose dangers. It also says the company should have had plans in place to shut down power in areas at high risk for fires during periods of extreme weather.
The complaint accuses Hawaiian Electric of violating state and federal laws, including a provision that requires utilities to prepare for catastrophic events like wildfires by conducting regular maintenance on its systems. It also claims the company failed to follow national weather service warnings to deenergize its grid before high winds were expected, allowing the fires to spread more rapidly than they might have otherwise.
How Do Fire Lawyers Gather Evidence in Large-Scale Wildfire Cases?
Among other things, the suit alleges that keeping power lines energized as fires started in West Maui made it harder for residents to evacuate. It says downed poles and wires blocked many roads, preventing people from fleeing the fires.
Attorneys for the residents in both suits say that as Hurricane Dora began to batter the island, it was reasonable to assume that wind-blown debris would predictably break Hawaiian Electric’s power lines. Keeping them energized, the lawsuits allege, intensified the fires and allowed them to destroy most of Lahaina town.
Two days after the fire ripped through Lahaina, attorneys representing affected families wrote to Hawaiian Electric to notify them of the pending litigation and request that all electrical equipment that may relate to the cause of the blaze be preserved. The utility replied that it was focusing on ensuring the safety of first responders and displaced residents, as well as restoring power.
An attorney for the two dozen families named in the lawsuit told Civil Beat that it is possible some evidence that could help determine the cause of the fires has already been compromised, but that the investigation will proceed despite this setback.
The lawsuits seek compensation for losses and damages, including the cost of rebuilding or repairing destroyed buildings. In addition, they seek a monetary penalty for the utility’s alleged negligence.
The legal processes involved in large-scale wildfire cases are complex and require the guidance of an experienced attorney. Survivors of the Maui fires are encouraged to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible about their potential claims. The sooner a claim is filed, the more likely it will be that victims will receive full and fair compensation for their losses.