Multiple news sources report that Maui Circuit Judge Peter Cahill dramatically reduced attorney fees in the $4.03 billion wildfire settlement to $222 million, far less than the $1 billion lawyers sought. The ruling means more of the settlement money will go directly to survivors of the 2023 Lahaina fire.
- Judge Peter Cahill capped attorney fees at $222 million, down from the $1 billion lawyers had requested
- Attorneys who signed up clients before the settlement can receive up to 8% fees, while those who signed up after can only receive 3%
- Hawaii-based lawyers can apply for a separate $221 million fund based on work performed, but out-of-state attorneys are not eligible
- The first settlement payments to victims could begin in July or August, with over $1.1 billion currently sitting in a trust account (West Hawaii Today)
- As of mid-April, 94,816 claims had been filed by 21,750 claimants (West Hawaii Today)
- Governor Josh Green called the ruling ‘an important victory for Maui wildfire survivors’
- The August 2023 fires killed 102 people and destroyed more than 2,200 structures in Lahaina
Sources
- Hawaii News Now: Maui fire survivors to receive more than expected from $4B settlement
- Spectrumlocalnews: Maui judge limits attorney fees in wildfire settlement
- Winknews: A Win For Survivors: Judge Caps Maui Fire Legal Fees At $222M
- West Hawaii Today: Maui wildfires settlement poised for first payout
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