By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Associated Press
Honolulu (AP) – The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled on Monday that insurance companies cannot bring their own legal actions against those who were blamed for catastrophic forest fires in Maui in 2023, the deadliest of United States for over a century. The decision allows a settlement of $ 4 billion per threat by insurance problems to move forward.
Other stages remain to finalize the agreement between thousands of people who have filed prosecution and various accused, including Hawaiian Electric Company.
A regulation was announced last summer, but the insurance companies were held, insisting that they should have the right to go after the defendants separately to recover the money paid to the insured.
Monday’s decision resolves a key obstacle to finalize the agreement and refer the case to a MAUI judge to determine the next steps.
A representative of insurance companies said that he would return to the Associated Press to comment on the decision and if they would request an examination from the United States Supreme Court.
A key question that was before the Supreme Court of Hawaii was whether the laws of the States controlling the reimbursement of health care insurance also apply to victim insurance and goods to limit the capacity of companies to continue an independent legal action against those held responsible. The judges answered yes.
Gerald Singleton, one of the lawyers representing the complainants, said they were still trying to give meaning to the decision, but are satisfied with it. “Now the regulations can take the next step forward,” he said.
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