Hawaii injury claims

From Honolulu, Hilo and Kailua to the rural counties in between, people in Hawaii are hurt in car crashes, falls, workplace accidents and more. This page covers the Hawaii-specific rules that frame those claims and how to get a free review from an independent attorney licensed in the state.

Where people get hurt in Hawaii: cities, roads and industries

Population in Hawaii centers on Honolulu, Hilo, Kailua and Kahului, and each of those areas has its own mix of commuter roads, busy shopping districts and older buildings where people get hurt.

The main corridors, H-1, H-2, H-3 and the Kamehameha Highway, connect those cities and carry a heavy share of freight and commuter traffic. Work zones, merges and interchanges along these routes are where many multi-vehicle crashes happen.

Industries such as tourism, military and defense, agriculture and construction employ a large share of Hawaii's workforce, and each brings its own injury risks that can lead to workers' comp and third-party claims.

Common injury claims in Hawaii

Hawaii's fault rule in plain words

Hawaii uses modified comparative fault with a 51% bar. In plain words, an injured person can recover as long as their share of the blame is 50% or less, and the recovery is reduced by that share. At 51% or more, recovery is barred.

That is why the evidence from a crash near Honolulu or a fall in Hilo gets so much attention: the difference between 49% and 51% can decide whether a claim moves forward.

Filing time frames in Hawaii (general information)

For many injury claims, Hawaii law points to HRS § 657-7, with a general period our sources list as two years.

Treat any listed period as a general framework, not a countdown for your situation. Exceptions for minors, delayed discovery, government defendants and specific claim types can change the date, sometimes dramatically. A licensed attorney is the right person to confirm it.

Claims against a government agency in Hawaii

When the party at fault is a public body, such as a Hawaii agency, a city bus system or a county road department, different rules apply.

For claims against the state, the sources we use summarize the Hawaii rule as: 2 yrs vs. State (HRS § 662-4). Cities, counties and other local bodies may have their own notice requirements.

These rules apply to everything from a county truck on H-1 to a fall at a public building in Kailua, and missing a notice step can end a claim.

Car insurance in Hawaii: minimums and PIP

Hawaii's minimum auto insurance requirement is listed as 40/80/20 (2026).

Because Hawaii requires PIP, an injured driver usually turns to their own policy first for medical costs. No-fault rules can restrict claims against the at-fault driver for less serious injuries.

Hawaii is also one of nine states our sources list as having a general cap on non-economic damages.

Animal bite liability in Hawaii

Animal bite claims in Hawaii are shaped by a state statute. Statutes like this generally impose strict liability on an animal's owner, meaning the injured person does not have to show the owner knew of earlier aggression, though defenses such as provocation can apply.

Whatever the rule, save photos of the injury, the owner's name and address, vaccination information and any animal-control report. Read more on our animal bite claims page.

Workers' compensation in Hawaii

Workers' compensation is a no-fault system: injured employees receive benefits for medical care and lost wages without proving their employer was careless, and in exchange the employer is generally protected from being sued. That is often called the exclusive remedy rule.

Comp claims can be disputed when a worker is classified as an independent contractor, when the injury happened outside the course of work, or when notice to the employer was late. For workers in tourism or agriculture, reporting an injury to a supervisor promptly, in writing, is a good habit.

Workers who are hurt while driving for work, for example on H-2, may have both a comp claim and a claim against the at-fault driver.

What to do after an injury in Hawaii

1. See a doctor promptly and keep every record. Gaps in treatment are a common reason claims get disputed.
2. Make sure there is an official record, whether a police report, a store incident report or written notice to your employer.
3. Collect photos and witness contacts while they are fresh, and keep your own notes about pain and missed work.
4. Be careful about recorded statements to the other side's insurer before you understand your rights.
5. File a free claim or call (833) 822-7800 to have an independent attorney licensed in Hawaii review it.