Honolulu Personal Injury Attorney
Skilled Lawyer Helping You Pursue Compensation for Your Injury
Hawaii limits the amount of time you are given to file a lawsuit in the civil court system after an accident. You have two years from the time of the accident to do so. Now is the time to act if you are currently suffering from an injury caused by no fault of your own.
Do not wait to get the settlement you deserve. I will handle the details of your claim for you, so you can focus on what is most important: your recovery.
Contact the Honolulu personal injury attorney at the Law Office of Steve Cedillos today to get started on your free case evaluation.
The Most Common Personal Injury Cases in Honolulu
Here is a breakdown of some the most common personal injury cases in the state of Hawaii:
- Auto accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Dog bites and attacks
Types of Damages Awarded in Hawaii
The two most common categories of damages awarded in a personal injury case are: compensatory and punitive.
Compensatory Damages
Compensatory damages are available in almost all injury cases:
- Auto accident
- Medical malpractice
- Slip and fall cases
- Wrongful death cases
These damages compensate an injured person for any physical and/or mental harm they might have suffered after an accident.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages punish the at-fault individual for inappropriate or harmful behavior that is not necessarily tied to the victim’s injuries. This type of compensation is rare but can be awarded in certain circumstances.
What to do Before Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Honolulu
I highly recommend consulting with a lawyer about your personal injury claim, as Hawaii’s rules and regulations regarding personal injury law can get complicated. Hawaii applies a comparative negligence rule, which means that you can recover damages done to you in a personal injury claim, however, your award will be reduced according to your share of negligence. If you are more than 50 percent responsible for your injury, you cannot receive any compensation in court.
No-Fault Auto-Insurance State
Hawaii is a no-fault auto-insurance state. As such, you are limited when it is time for you to file a lawsuit in court. You cannot file a personal injury lawsuit after being hurt in a car accident unless:
- You suffered serious and life-altering injuries because of the accident
- The accident cost you over $5,000 in medical expenses or other personal damages
Personal Injury Damages Caps for Medical Malpractice Cases
Pain and suffering damages are capped at $375,000 for medical malpractice cases (exceptions have occurred, but this is rare).
Strict Dog Bite/Attack Case Liability State
Unlike many other states, in Hawaii a dog owner is strictly liable for a personal injury caused by his/her pet. The “one bite” rule does not apply here, so it does not matter if the dog exhibited good behavior up until the bite or attack, the owner is still responsible any injuries.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
You should not have to focus on the legal parameters of your case after being injured. Hire a personal injury lawyer you can trust to provide you with the extensive knowledge and comprehensive support you need at this time. The right personal injury lawyer can help you:
- Negotiate with insurance companies and the at-fault party
- Get compensation faster
- Develop a stronger case to win a larger settlement
Contact my office at (808) 201-0496 or fill out a form online to book a free personal injury case evaluation today!