Lawsuit Filing Deadline Extended for Maui Fire Victims

On the day that Maui residents observed the second anniversary of the Lahaina wildfires, Maui Judge Peter Cahill extended the lawsuit filing deadline, providing victims additional time to seek damages and participate in a $4 billion settlement reached with defendants.

Judge Cahill extended the statute of limitations to October 1. To qualify, victims must submit by October 1:

  • A signed settlement agreement
  • A claims questionnaire
  • All supporting documents for their damages

In May 2025, Judge Cahill approved a distribution plan for the $4 billion settlement reached with defendants. The ruling sets in motion a process for individual wildfire victims to begin receiving compensation as soon as December 2025 through the Individual Settlement Plan (ISP). More than 20,000 people—including families who lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and livelihoods—are eligible to submit claims.

What Should Maui Fire Victims Expect from Their Law Firm?

Ashes were still smoldering in Lahaina when mainland lawyers began arriving with big promises and a sense of urgency. In the months since, survivors have been inundated by advertisements from lawyers seeking to sign them on for legal services. We know firsthand because we talk with fire survivors every day as we work on the Maui fires litigation, and we see the big promises in other law firms’ advertisements and solicitations.

There’s no doubt that lawyers can play an important role in helping Lahaina residents rebuild their lives. But fire survivors should know a few things about hiring an attorney and filing a lawsuit.