Lawyers are fighting over $4 billion in damages for Maui wildfires

WAILUKU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The court battle over how to distribute money intended for Maui wildfire survivors and the families of those who died continues.

Plaintiffs' lawyers argue that insurance companies are trying to play by the rules and that even the governor is using harsh words.

“There's really no progress, and frankly it would be fair to describe the progress as, in a sense, regression,” insurance industry lawyer Adam Romney said in court Friday.

Romney represents Property Insurers for Hawaii, a coalition of more than 160 property and casualty insurance companies.

“To date, property insurers have paid their customers more than $2.3 billion for their property losses and expect to pay another $1 billion,” the website says.

“Certain parties have made progress, and that's all I have to say,” plaintiffs' attorney Cynthia Wong told the judge Friday morning.

Lawyers are arguing over who should be paid out first in a $4 billion settlement agreed to by seven defendants blamed for the Maui fire disaster.

Insurance companies were not part of the agreement reached in August and believe they deserve to be reimbursed first.

But plaintiffs' lawyers contend that insurers are trying to take money that should go to those left behind by the fires.

“I'm frustrated because we've worked so hard and yet I feel like it's not the same with the other parties fighting against us. I don't feel like it's a fair fight sometimes. So, I'm angry. Yes, I’m angry,” Wong said.

“At every step of our journey, we face obstacles and challenges from the insurance industry. They have fought us every step of the way because they don't want this agreement to happen. They rejected the settlement,” said plaintiffs’ attorney Jesse Creed.

Insurers say they are not denying justice to the people of Maui, just not giving up their rights.

Governor Green said he is pleased that the court, plaintiffs and all defendants recognize the importance of reaching a settlement that will benefit the people of Maui and the entire state of Hawaii.

“However, it is disappointing that mainland insurance companies continue to demonstrate their contempt for the people of Hawaii by putting profits over people,” he said.

“They are trying to block justice for the people of Maui,” Creed said.

“We're trying to get as much money as we can for the plaintiffs in this settlement, and if that means fighting the subrogation insurers in the Hawaii Supreme Court case, we're headed for battle,” Wong said.

Both sides will be back in court in December.

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