Few people wake up in the morning expecting to suffer a life-changing injury, especially in a place as beautiful and peaceful as the island of Oahu. However, whether you’re a resident going about your day or a visitor enjoying the island’s natural wonders, it only takes a moment for an accident caused by someone else’s negligence to turn your world upside down. Medical bills, serious injuries, lingering pain, and complex insurance claims can leave you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
If you or a loved one has been hurt due to another party’s carelessness, you don’t have to face this challenge alone. A personal injury lawyer here in Honolulu can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
For over 50 years, Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, with its office in downtown Honolulu, has fought to protect the rights of seriously injured victims across Hawaii. Our experienced and award-winning legal team is committed to securing justice for those harmed by the negligence of others.
What Does a Honolulu Personal Injury Attorney Do?
A Honolulu personal injury attorney represents individuals harmed by another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. If someone else’s actions have caused you injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses under Hawaii law.
The Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks team serves clients in a wide range of personal injury cases. Some common cases we handle include:
- Motor vehicle accidents—collisions involving cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, and trucks;
- Medical malpractice and birth injuries—preventable medical errors, negligence, and surgical mistakes;
- Defective products—dangerous or malfunctioning devices that cause harm to consumers;
- Maritime and ocean-related accidents—boating, diving, jet skiing, and other water-related accidents common in Hawaii;
- Recreational activity injuries—injuries sustained during hiking, surfing, zip-lining, or other island activities due to unsafe conditions or negligence; and
- Aviation accidents—preventable injuries or fatalities caused by airplane or helicopter crashes.
Our firm represents both Hawaii residents and visitors, ensuring that anyone harmed on the island of Oahu has access to high-quality legal representation.
When Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?
Not all accidents are grounds for a personal injury case. Another person’s or entity’s negligent, reckless, or intentionally harmful behavior must have caused your injury for you to have a valid legal claim for compensation.
Successfully proving a personal injury claim in Hawaii requires demonstrating the following:
- Duty of care. The responsible party had a legal duty to act with care and caution for others’ safety. For example, drivers owe other road users a duty to follow traffic laws.
- Breach of duty. The wrongful party failed to uphold their duty through negligent or reckless actions, such as texting behind the wheel or driving while intoxicated.
- Causation. The other party’s breach of duty caused your injuries. For example, if a drunk driver runs a red light, crashes into your car, and causes a spinal injury that leaves you partially paralyzed—your injury is the result of their negligence.
- Damages. You must show that you suffered actual losses and harm. Such losses can include medical expenses, lost income, pain, and suffering.
If you suspect you have a case, it’s crucial to consult with a Honolulu personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can evaluate your situation and help determine whether you have a valid legal claim.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Personal Injury Claim?
Victims can be eligible for compensation for the financial, physical, and emotional costs of an accident. Potential legal damages often include:
- Medical bills—past, current, and future medical treatment of your injuries, including surgeries, therapy, and rehabilitation;
- Lost wages—time missed at work and loss of future earning potential;
- Property damage—repair or replacement of damaged property, e.g., vehicles;
- Pain and suffering—physical and psychological pain linked to the injury and reduced quality of life it causes; and
- Punitive damages—additional compensation in cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct.
Every case is unique, and the amount of compensation you can recover depends on numerous factors, such as the severity of your injuries and the degree of negligence involved.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney in Oahu Help Me?
Bringing a personal injury claim can be complex and overwhelming. An experienced Honolulu personal injury attorney can handle the legal aspects of your case while you focus on healing. Here’s how we can help:
- Navigating legal procedures. Hawaii’s legal system has strict rules and deadlines. We ensure all paperwork is filed correctly and handle court procedures on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about missing crucial steps.
- Proving liability. Establishing fault is critical to winning your case. Our team collects crucial evidence, interviews witnesses, reviews medical records, and consults with industry experts to build a compelling claim.
- Negotiating with insurance companies. Many insurers try to minimize payouts to accident victims. We have extensive experience handling lowball offers and tough negotiations and will aggressively advocate for your best interests.
- Maximizing compensation. Our attorneys assess all aspects of your damages, from medical expenses to emotional suffering. We work to secure full compensation, covering immediate losses and projected future expenses for damages, such as, long-term medical care and lost earning potential.
- Reducing your stress. Dealing with an injury is hard enough without the added burden of legal battles. We handle every aspect of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery while we fight for your rights.
If you’ve been harmed by another’s mistakes, don’t wait to get the help you need. Hawaii law generally gives injured victims two years from their incident to file a legal claim. Missing this deadline could prevent you from recovering compensation.
Protecting the Rights of Injured Victims for 50 Years
For over five decades, Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks has been a pillar of justice for those who have sustained serious or catastrophic injuries caused by others throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Our seasoned legal team has handled some of the state’s most high-profile injury cases, securing multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for those who have suffered life-altering injuries or lost loved ones due to negligence.
To learn more about how we can help you, contact our office to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Oahu. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.