Kaiminani Personal Injury Lawyer

Living and visiting the western community of Kaiminani should be something people are able to freely do without having to worry about being involved in an accident. Unfortunately, there are countless instances where people are injured as a result of accidents due to the negligence of others.

If you have been left with an injury due to another person’s reckless or careless actions, you may be able to take legal action against them. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can help to ensure that you are able to recover just compensation for the damages and losses you face.

Since 1971, our dedicated personal injury lawyers at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner have fought diligently to protect the legal rights of residents of Kaiminani who have been negatively affected by the actions of others. Our legal team is fully committed to helping each person we represent seek the maximum compensation possible for their personal injury claim.

Our legal team will help you identify who is responsible for your accident and take swift legal action against them. To determine what legal options are available to help you move forward, contact our personal injury law firm today to schedule a free consultation to get started.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle for Kaiminani Residents

After being harmed in an accident, you may have legal options that can help you secure financial compensation for the losses and damages you face. Having a strong personal injury attorney by your side can make a huge difference when it comes to your ability to secure maximum compensation.

Our personal injury team at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner has represented personal injury clients since 1971. Over the years, we have represented injured clients who have been harmed by negligent actions of others in various types of cases. Some of the most common personal injury cases that we handle for our clients include:

Motor Vehicle Accident Claims

It is no secret that motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of injuries and death in the state of Hawaii. Every year, over 10,000 people are negatively affected by vehicle collisions across our state.

Common types of motor vehicle accident cases we handle for clients include:

• Hit-and-run accidents
• Rollover accidents
• Intersection accidents
• Lane-change accidents
• Side-impact collisions (also known as T-bone accidents)
• Single-vehicle accidents
• Multi-vehicle accidents
• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Pedestrian accidents
• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Motorcycle and moped accidents

These and other accidents are often a result of some form of negligence. Common causes of motor vehicle accidents:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Reckless driving
• Vehicle defects or malfunctions
• Poor road conditions
• Inexperienced drivers
• Driver fatigue
• Failure to yield
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Improper lane changes
• Driving under the influence of drugs
• Tailgating
• Weather conditions
• Aggressive driving
• Animals or objects on the road
• Improper turns or U-turns

If you have suffered injuries as a result of an auto wreck that was caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another driver, you may be able to file a personal injury case against the responsible party.

A thorough investigation will be needed to determine who is at fault for the accident. Our personal injury attorney at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner will be able to guide you through the legal process and help to determine who is responsible for the crash that left you injured. Schedule a free consultation with our lawyers today to get started.

Premises Liability Accident Claims

Every day, people are injured as a result of accidents that take place in homes and businesses across the Big Island. In many cases, these accidents are a result of the negligent and reckless actions of others.

We see many people suffer injuries as a result of accidents caused by broken ground surfaces, spilled liquids, inadequate storage of hazardous materials, and various other dangerous conditions that property owners neglect.

Some common types of premises liability accident claims we help our clients recover compensation from include:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Staircase accidents
• Elevator or escalator accidents
• Porch or balcony collapses
• Inadequate lighting accidents
• Building code violations
• Swimming pool accidents
• Dog bites or animal attacks
• Toxic substance exposure
• Fire hazards and burn injuries
• Electrical accidents
• Construction site accidents
• Hotel accidents
• Negligent security incidents
• Retail store accidents
• Restaurant or bar accidents

No matter what type of premises liability accident has caused you harm on the Big Island, it is crucial that you are able to get justice and be paid back for the related expenses you have incurred. Our personal injury lawyers will help you protect your legal rights and seek compensation for the losses and damages that you face. 

Our team will identify the negligent property owner and take legal action against them in a timely manner so you can recover fair compensation from the insurance company.

Medical Malpractice Cases

Medical malpractice affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the United States annually. Here on the island of Hawaii, we see countless people affected by the negligence of medical professionals every single year.

Although we depend on medical professionals to provide us with medical care that is respectful, courteous, and based on their education and experience, we continue to see doctors, nurses, surgeons and other medical professionals cut corners when providing care.

Common types of medical malpractice that residents in Kaiminani and the state of Hawaii experience include:

• Failure to monitor patients after surgery
• Inadequate follow-up care
• Informed consent violations
• Medical device errors
• Misinterpretation of lab results
• Misdiagnosis
• Delayed diagnosis
• Surgical errors
• Anesthesia errors
• Medication errors
• Birth injuries
• Failure to diagnose
• Failure to treat

These and other acts of medical negligence can have severe consequences for patients. In some cases, patients end up passing away as a result of the negligent care they receive.

If you have been affected by medical malpractice, or your loved one has died as a result of a negligent medical professional, our personal injury lawyer will fight to ensure you are fairly compensated for what you and your family have endured.

Product Liability Cases

Statistics provided by the National Safety Council show that more than 11.7 million people suffered injuries as a result of consumer products in 2021. The majority of these accidents involve products that are used every day.

If you are injured as a result of a product that is defective or malfunctions, you may be able to take legal action against the responsible party. Having a knowledgeable legal team by your side while pursuing a personal injury case can help to ensure you have the best chance of getting justice.

Some types of product defects that continue to harm residents of the Big Island include:

• Breach of warranty
• Improper labeling
• Defective packaging
• Unsafe product components
• Inadequate quality control
• Manufacturing defects
• Marketing defects
• Design defects
• Failure to warn
• Inadequate instructions

If any of these defects have led to an accident that left you injured, it is crucial that you take legal action right away. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Our personal injury lawyers at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner will review your accident’s circumstances and determine the best course of action moving forward. We will identify who is liable for your damages and fight for you to be properly compensated.

Claims for Catastrophic Injuries

Even though any type of personal injury can significantly impact your life, injuries that are considered catastrophic often impact nearly every aspect of your health and well-being. Catastrophic injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injuries that lead to paralysis
• Amputations
• Burn injuries
• Multiple bone fractures
• Organ damage
• Eye injuries
• Hearing loss
• Paralysis
• Chronic pain

Catastrophic injuries can result from any type of accident. However, there are various types of accidents that most commonly cause catastrophic injuries. Some of those include:

• Boating accidents
• Car accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Construction accidents
• Aviation accidents

Unfortunately, negligence continues to play a role in a significant number of accidents that leave innocent people with catastrophic injuries. If someone else’s negligence has caused you harm, it is crucial that you have a strong legal team by your side as you pursue a personal injury claim against them.

Our dedicated legal team at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner has decades of experience fighting to protect the legal rights of clients who have suffered severe and catastrophic injuries due to the negligence of others. Our team will fight for fair compensation on your behalf so you have the money you need for immediate and long-term medical care and other damages you face.

Recreational Activity Accidents

Engaging in recreational activities comes with an inherent risk of being harmed. However, there are instances where people suffer a serious injury as a result of someone else’s negligence. Some of the recreational activity accident cases we handle for our personal injury clients include those involving:

• Surfing accidents
• Snorkeling accidents
• Scuba diving accidents
• Hiking accidents
• ATV accidents
• Zip-lining accidents
• Parasailing accidents
• Jet ski accidents
• Boating accidents
• Swimming accidents

There are many instances where these and other recreational activity accidents are a result of negligence. Some of the most common factors that are identified in personal injury claims following these types of accidents include:

• Inexperience or lack of training
• Recklessness or risky behavior
• Underestimating the danger of the activity
• Lack of proper supervision or guidance
• Poor weather or ocean conditions
• Failure to follow safety guidelines or instructions
• Equipment failure or malfunction
• Medical emergencies or pre-existing health conditions
• Negligence of tour operators or rental companies

If you have been harmed in a recreational accident, our dedicated lawyers can help you pursue a personal injury case against the responsible party.

Wrongful Death Cases

The sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one can be incredibly challenging for families to deal with. The mental and emotional toll that comes along with a wrongful death is very hard to accept. Knowing that your loved one died in a preventable accident that was caused by the negligent actions of another person makes accepting the situation even more difficult.

After losing a loved one, your family has the right to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. This type of legal action can help you recover compensation for some of the damages and losses you face.

In Hawaii, there are several parties who are legally entitled to file wrongful death claims after losing a loved one. These parties include:

• The surviving spouse
• The surviving children
• The surviving parents

Additionally, any person that was specifically designated as the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate has the ability to pursue a claim for compensation following a wrongful death caused by someone else’s negligence.

Our personal injury attorney at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner can help you protect your legal rights by filing a claim for compensation after enduring the loss of a loved one. Some of the damages that a wrongful death claim can help you recover compensation for include:

• Medical expenses
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and society
• Pain and suffering of the deceased before death
• Punitive damages

A wrongful death claim must be filed within a period of two years from the date of the death. However, some situations may change the statute of limitations that a family has to file a claim. 

For this reason, we encourage you to reach out to our personal injury lawyer right away to schedule a free consultation, so you can be sure not to miss this crucial deadline or any others that will arise during the course of your case. It’s also important to give your attorney as much time as possible to evaluate and build your case, so even if the statute of limitations is still somewhat far in the future, you should seek counsel right away.

Common Injuries From Personal Injury Accidents

Being involved in an accident can leave you with serious injuries that affect your life forever. Even though no two accidents are the same, we see countless people left with certain common injuries following their accidents. Some of these include:

• Whiplash: This painful injury is generally a result of the neck and the head being rapidly jerked back and forth. Whiplash is a common injury reported in many slip and fall accidents, auto accidents, and some product liability claims, such as blasts or explosions.
• Broken bones: Broken bones can be incredibly debilitating. Unfortunately, these injuries are extremely common in accidents in Kaiminani and all over Hawaii. Broken bones can happen when a person falls, gets hit by a car, or experiences any other type of impact. Broken bones can be incredibly painful and may require surgery to heal properly. Some patients even have to go through months of therapy and rehabilitation.
• Soft tissue injuries: Soft tissue injuries are common in personal injury accidents and can be painful and long-lasting. These types of injuries affect the body’s muscles, tendons, and ligaments. We see many people injured in accidents left with torn ligaments, muscle tears,and other serious injuries that are painful and debilitating.
• Severe burn injuries: Burn injuries can be painful and require extensive surgery. These injuries often result in permanent scarring and disfigurement. In some cases, burns may require multiple surgeries in order to repair the damaged tissues. In addition to the physical pain and suffering that patients experience, they may also suffer from emotional trauma due to the scarring and the changes in their physical appearance that these injuries have.
• Concussions: This type of brain injury is relatively common in personal injury accidents. These injuries are generally a result of the head being struck or shaken with great force. A concussion can have a long-term impact on a sufferer’s health and well-being if it is not properly treated and diagnosed in a timely manner. People who suffer from concussions may experience headaches, confusion, memory loss, and even dizziness.
• Joint injuries: Joint injuries generally affect the cartilage, bones, or ligaments. These injuries are typically caused by a sudden and forceful impact. However, they can also be caused by repetitive motion over a long period of time. People who suffer injuries to the joint may experience pain, difficulty moving, swelling, and even stiffness.
• Nerve damage: Nerve damage can occur when trauma or pressure is placed on the nerves. These injuries can cause pain and various other symptoms, such as tingling and numbness. Depending on the nerve that is affected, nerve damage can cause problems with sensation and movement.
• Organ damage: Organ damage is one of the most severe injuries in a personal injury accident. Depending on the type of accident, different organs may be affected. Organ damage can range from mild to life-threatening and may require immediate medical attention. Surgery may sometimes be required to repair or remove damaged organs. The liver, kidneys, lungs, and spleen are among the most commonly injured organs in personal injury accidents.
• Psychological trauma: People who suffer physical injuries as a result of an accident may also experience psychological trauma. We see countless people involved in accidents suffer from depression, anxiety, sleep problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological consequences and illnesses following their accidents.
• Cuts and lacerations: Cuts and lacerations can be incredibly painful to deal with. In severe cases, they can result in nerve and muscle damage. Unfortunately, cuts and lacerations often leave injured parties with scarring, which can psychologically impact their health and well-being.
• Neck and back injuries: Neck and back injuries are common in personal injury accidents. These types of injuries can be caused by sudden impacts, falls, or even lifting heavy objects improperly. The most common neck and back injuries are sprains, strains, herniated discs, and fractures. Neck and back injuries can result in stiffness, tingling, pain, and numbness.

After suffering serious injuries in an accident, you may have to go through immediate and long-term care. Dealing with the mental, physical, and financial consequences of suffering a serious injury can impact your life indefinitely.

Thankfully, accident victims harmed due to the negligence of others are able to seek compensation through the litigation process. A personal injury claim can provide you with much-needed financial relief for the costs of medical care and more.

Damages You Can Recover

After suffering emotional and physical injuries as a result of an accident, you have the right to seek just compensation for the damages and losses you experience.

In Hawaii, personal injury cases are designed to provide injured parties with the compensation they need to cover both the economic and non-economic damages that they face as a result of your accident.

Some of the damages that our personal injury lawyer can help you recover after your accident include:

• Medical expenses (including both immediate and long-term bills)
• Lost wages
• Future earning capacity
• Property damage (cost of replacement or repairs)
• Cost of transportation for medical treatment
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Damage to reputation
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of consortium
• Cost of household services
• Inconvenience
• Any other accident-related out-of-pocket expenses

Our dedicated personal injury lawyers will handle your case with the utmost care and compassion. We will fight to ensure you are able to get the maximum compensation possible for your unique case.

We will fight hard throughout the recovery process to ensure you are able to hold the negligent party to account and to make sure you have the financial resources that you need and deserve throughout the recovery process and beyond. Schedule a free consultation with our personal injury attorneys at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner today to discuss your case and to get started.

How Much Is Your Personal Injury Claim Worth?

When it comes to determining the value of personal injury cases, there is no one answer that fits all for the situation. The facts surrounding your accident and the resulting injuries and damages you have suffered will generally play a big role in determining how much money you can recover.

In general, courts will take into consideration the type of injuries that you have suffered, the severity of the injuries that you suffered, and the impact that they have on your health and well-being. 

For example, if you suffered a catastrophic brain injury that requires extensive medical treatment, you will most likely be able to recover far more compensation than a person who suffered from a broken arm in an accident. Catastrophic injuries and more severe injuries often result in higher awards for accident victims.

In addition, the court will take into consideration your ability to return to work, the extent of liability you share for the accident taking place, and the insurance coverage that is available.

To provide yourself with the best chance of obtaining the maximum compensation possible for your claim, you should reach out to our personal injury attorney right away. Our team will be able to review the circumstances surrounding your accident and provide you with a better idea of what you can expect throughout the recovery process and your potential award for damages.

Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Claim

In Hawaii, a person who is wrongfully harmed in an accident due to another person’s negligence can file a personal injury claim. In order to succeed in your personal injury claim, one thing you must do is file the claim within the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is basically a deadline by which you must file your case. 

In Hawaii, the statute of limitations for actions to recover compensation for injuries and damages is generally two years from the date of the accident in most cases.

According to law, there are various circumstances that can shorten the amount of time that a person is able to file a claim. For this reason, it is critically important that you consult with a personal injury lawyer right away to determine how long you have to file a claim to recover the costs and losses you face.

Proving Liability in a Personal Injury Case

In order to prevail when filing a personal injury claim against the person who caused you harm, you must be able to demonstrate negligence. Showing negligence involves proving that the elements existed at the time of the accident.

In general, you must be able to present clear and convincing evidence that demonstrates the following:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care: To obtain compensation, you need to be able to show that another party owed you a duty of care. For example, business owners are required to provide premises that are safe for guests to visit. People driving cars are required to operate their vehicles in accordance with all traffic laws and safety guidelines.
• The defendant breached their duty: You must show that the defendant engaged in some action that breached the duty of care that they owed to you. This could be something like driving drunk, not cleaning up spilled liquid on the floor, or ignoring safety practices that are in place to protect guests.
• The breach of the duty is the cause of your injuries: After proving the breach of the duty of care, you must be able to show that the breach of the duty is the cause of your injuries. In other words, you would not have suffered any injuries if the defendant was not negligent in their actions.
• You suffered damages: As a result of the injuries that you have suffered, you experienced some type of financial or non-economic losses. These can generally be proven through documentation like medical bills and expert opinions.

Although this sounds like an easy process, the insurance company of the defendant will do everything in their power to shift the blame for your accident. For this reason, it is important that you seek help from a personal injury lawyer right away. Our lawyers here at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner will build the strongest case on your behalf against the defendant so you are able to get justice.

Negligence Laws in Hawaii

When it comes to your ability to recover compensation after being injured in an accident, it is important to understand the laws of negligence in our state. In Hawaii, negligence is guided by H.R.S. §§ 663-31. This law states that Hawaii follows a modified comparative negligence doctrine.

This doctrine is that the 51% rule is in place when it comes to a person’s ability to recover compensation through civil litigation following an accident. The 51% rule states that a person is able to recover compensation for the damages that they suffered so long as they are less than 51% at fault for the accident taking place.

For example, if a person contributed 49% to the accident that left them injured, they have the ability to recover compensation for the damages. However, the amount of money they will recover will be reduced to reflect the percentage of fault that they contributed to the accident.

Insurance companies will use this information in order to pay injured parties a minimal settlement for their personal injury claims. For this reason, it is in your best interest to seek help from a personal injury attorney right away to ensure you are able to maximize your recovery for damages.

Our personal injury lawyer will present strong evidence on your behalf against the defendant as we demand full compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages that you are seeking compensation for in your personal injury claim.

Our Personal Injury Law Firm Has a Proven Track Record of Success

Suffering serious injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence can be incredibly difficult to deal with. Unfortunately, tens of thousands of people are injured as a result of accidents that take place here in Hawaii every year.

The time following your accident can be incredibly difficult to deal with. For this reason, it is only right that you are able to recover financial compensation for the losses and damages that you face. Our team is dedicated to helping each client we represent recover compensation to alleviate the impact they face on medical bills, lost wages, and various other damages.

Our fearless legal team at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner takes great pride in our proven track record of success when it comes to litigating complex personal injury claims for our clients.

Some of the top verdicts and settlements that we have achieved for our clients after accidents include:

• $11,000,000: This award was provided to a client who suffered multiple organ injuries due to an accident.
• $10,250,000: This award was provided to a client who suffered from a brain injury due to an accident.
• $9,000,000: This award was provided to a client who suffered from a brain injury due to an accident.
• $8,000,000: This award was provided to a client who suffered from a brain injury due to an accident.
• $7,500,000: This award was provided to a client who was involved in a pedestrian accident.
• $7,000,000: This award was provided to a client who suffered from a catastrophic injury due to an accident.
• $6,750,000: This award was provided to a client who suffered from a spinal cord injury due to an accident.
• $5,000,000: This award was provided to a client who suffered from a spinal cord injury due to an accident.

If you are interested in seeing how our personal injury lawyer can make a difference when it comes to helping you recover full and timely compensation after suffering a serious injury and an accident, contact our legal team today for a free consultation. 

Our lawyers are deeply committed to helping you recover the maximum financial compensation for all of your losses and damages.

How Our Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

Dealing with the stress associated with painful physical and emotional injuries following an accident can be incredibly difficult. For this reason, it is important that you have a strong legal team by your side. 

Our personal injury lawyers at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner will help you by focusing on your legal recovery as you get the medical care that you need for your injuries. You can stay focused on recovering while we represent you on the legal side of things.

Our team will perform various tasks to ensure your best interests are protected every step of the way. Some of the duties that are personal injury lawyer will perform on your behalf include:

• Our personal injury attorney will meet with you for a free consultation in order to determine the facts of the case and to gather relevant documents and evidence from you.
• Our dedicated legal team will then go to the accident scene, if necessary, and gather evidence. We will take pictures and record videos. If any homes in videos in the area have surveillance cameras, we may obtain copies of the footage to build your case.
• Our team may reach out to anyone who witnessed the accident taking place. We will take statements from them and learn more about the events that led to the accident.
• Our personal injury attorney will review the police reports, get copies of your medical records, and obtain other relevant documents that are related to your accident.
• We will consult with various experts throughout the process of building your claim. These can include accident reconstruction specialists, economists, and medical experts. The specific type of experts that we seek help from for your claim will depend on the circumstances of your accident.
• After gathering all of the relevant information, we will compile them into a lawsuit against the defendant on your behalf. We will use all of the evidence and information to negotiate with the insurance company or the other parties involved. We will seek full compensation for all of the losses and damages that you have experienced.
• If we are unable to negotiate successfully with the insurance company, our team will not hesitate to take your case to trial to be heard by a judge and jury.
• Throughout the legal process, we will continue to provide legal advice and guidance when necessary regarding all aspects of your journey through recovery.
• We will do everything in our power to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

You can rest assured knowing that our personal injury lawyers will remain by your side throughout the recovery process to ensure you are able to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

To get started on your case, contact our team at Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner to schedule a free consultation.

Call Our Law Firm Today

The unfortunate truth is that suffering a serious injury as a result of an accident can have an overwhelming impact on your life. Unfortunately, thousands of people are left with significant injuries every year in our state as a result of accidents that take place. If you have been harmed due to someone else’s negligence, it is only right that you are able to get fair compensation for the resulting injuries and damages.

At Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner, our goal is to make sure you receive the compensation for your injury claim that you are entitled to. Our lawyers understand how difficult these situations can be, and we strive to provide our clients with thorough legal advice, compassionate support and attentive representation. We invite you to contact us today at 808-537-2525 for a free consultation concerning your case so that we can help protect your rights and get the justice you deserve.

Our dedicated personal injury lawyers handle all legal claims for injury clients who reside in Kaiminani on a contingency fee basis. This ensures you are able to protect your legal rights and take action against the responsible party without having to worry about the costs and fees for legal representation up front.