Hawaii Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury because of someone else’s negligence, handling the physical, emotional, and financial aftermath can feel overwhelming. At Rosenberg Hoffman, we provide tough, compassionate, and local legal help to guide you through Hawaii’s complex insurance and legal systems. Our attorneys have more than 100 years of combined legal experience. We have the knowledge, resources, and courtroom readiness needed to take on big insurance companies and protect your rights.
Since 1995, our firm has proudly served accident survivors across Oahu and the neighboring islands from our offices in Honolulu and Waipahu. We know a serious injury impacts every part of your life. That is why we focus on your entire recovery—helping you secure financial stability while giving you the space and support you need to heal and move forward.
The Rosenberg Hoffman Advantage: Direct Access to Your Attorney
Unlike high-volume law firms where clients are handed off to assistants or paralegals, Rosenberg Hoffman is built on direct communication. Throughout your entire claim, you will speak personally with a lawyer. We believe that building a strong case requires close collaboration, ensuring your voice is heard and your case gets the personal attention it deserves.
Our Hawaii Personal Injury Practice Areas
Our legal team handles a wide variety of personal injury and wrongful death claims throughout the state of Hawaii. Click on any of our practice areas below to learn how we help with your specific situation:
Car Accidents
Car crashes on Oahu’s crowded roadways—from the H-1 freeway to downtown Honolulu—can cause severe, life-altering injuries. We investigate the details of your crash, gather traffic or dashcam evidence, and work hard to hold the negligent driver accountable.
Accidents Caused by Drunk Drivers
When someone chooses to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they put everyone on the road at risk. We fight to hold these drivers fully accountable for the damage they cause, pursuing the maximum compensation available for your recovery.
Truck Accidents
Collisions involving commercial semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and delivery fleets are highly complex. These cases involve specific safety regulations and multiple corporate liabilities. Our team knows how to track down logs, maintenance records, and fleet data to build a strong case.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists have very little protection on Hawaii roads, making them vulnerable to catastrophic injuries when other drivers fail to pay attention. We understand the unfair biases riders face from insurance adjusters, and we work to ensure you are treated fairly.
Moped, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Accidents
With heavy foot traffic in Waikiki and many residents relying on mopeds or e-bikes to commute, non-motorized travelers face high risks. Whether you live here or are visiting the islands, we protect your rights if a vehicle fails to yield to you.
Tourist and Military Injuries
Getting hurt away from home adds difficult legal and jurisdictional hurdles. If you are a visitor injured at a resort or on an excursion, or if you are a military service member or dependent stationed on Oahu, we guide you through the unique rules that apply to your claim.
Slip/Trip-and-Fall Injuries and Premises Liability Claims
Property owners and business operators in Hawaii have a legal duty to keep their premises safe. If you tripped or slipped on a hidden hazard, or were hurt due to poor property maintenance, we work to prove the owner was responsible.
Dog Bites and Attacks
An animal attack can cause severe physical injury and lasting emotional trauma. Hawaii law holds dog owners responsible for injuries caused by their pets. We help victims pursue claims through homeowner or renter insurance to cover medical bills and treatment.
Wrongful Death Claims
Losing a loved one to someone else's reckless actions is a terrible tragedy. While financial compensation cannot replace your loss, a wrongful death claim can help cover sudden expenses and hold the responsible party accountable. We help families pursue funeral costs, loss of financial support, and companionship.
Understanding Hawaii’s Injury Laws
Resolving an injury claim in Hawaii requires a clear understanding of local laws and insurance rules. Our legal team uses decades of local experience to handle these details for you.
Hawaii is a mandatory “no-fault” car insurance state. This means that after a car crash, your own insurance provider’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays for your medical treatments up to your policy limit, no matter who caused the accident.
However, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver if your injuries meet Hawaii’s “medical threshold.” To bring a claim against the negligent driver, your medical expenses must reach a specific amount, or the injury must involve a permanent loss of use of a body part, significant permanent scarring, or disfigurement.
The 51% Modified Comparative Negligence Rule
Insurance companies often try to reduce what they pay by claiming you were partly to blame for the accident. Under Hawaii law, you can still recover compensation as long as your share of the blame is not more than 50%.
If you are found partially at fault, your final compensation will be reduced by your percentage of blame. For example, if your total damages are $100,000 but you are found 20% at fault, you can recover $80,000. If your fault is 51% or higher, you cannot recover any compensation from the other party. We gather the facts to protect you from unfair bla
The purpose of an injury claim is to help make things right after an unexpected trauma. Depending on your accident, we pursue compensation for two main types of damages:
| Economic Damages (Actual Financial Losses) | Non-Economic Damages (Quality-of-Life Impacts) |
|---|---|
| Medical Expenses: ER bills, doctor visits, surgery, prescriptions, physical therapy, and future medical care needs. | Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, discomfort, and physical limitations caused by your injuries. |
| Lost Wages: Income you lost because you had to miss work while recovering from the accident. | Emotional Distress: The mental impact of the crash, including anxiety, depression, and sleep trouble. |
| Loss of Earning Capacity: Future financial losses if your injuries prevent you from returning to your regular job. | Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Being unable to take part in hobbies, sports, or daily activities you enjoyed before you were hurt. |
| Property Damage: The cost to fix or replace your vehicle or other personal items broken in the accident. | Loss of Consortium: The negative impact the injuries have on your close relationships with family members. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaii Personal Injury Claims
Q: How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer on Oahu?
A: At Rosenberg Hoffman, it costs nothing upfront to hire our legal team. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. This means we cover all the investigative and legal costs to build your case, and we only receive a fee if we successfully settle your claim or win a verdict for you. If you don’t get paid, we don’t get paid.
Q: How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Hawaii?
A: In Hawaii, the standard statute of limitations for most personal injury claims—including slip-and-falls and dog bites—is two years from the date of the injury. However, for car accidents, the two-year timeline typically begins after the date of your last Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or no-fault medical insurance payment, which can extend your time to file. Because missing a deadline will permanently bar your claim, it is best to consult an attorney as soon as possible.
Q: Can I still get compensation if I was hurt by an uninsured or underinsured driver in Honolulu?
A: Yes. If you are involved in a crash with a driver who has no insurance or carries policy limits too low to cover your medical care, you can seek compensation through your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) insurance coverage. We can review your policy to see if this option is available to secure your recovery.
Q: Do I need to come to your office in Honolulu or Waipahu to start my case?
A: While we welcome clients to our offices in downtown Honolulu and Waipahu, we make the process as easy as possible for you. If you are recovering at home or in a medical facility like the Queen’s Medical Center or Pali Momi, our attorneys can come directly to you. We also offer fully remote consultations via phone or video conferencing.
Protect Your Rights: Schedule a Free, No-Risk Consultation Today
Hawaii has strict time limits for filing a personal injury lawsuit. If you wait too long and miss the legal deadline, you could permanently lose your right to seek financial recovery.
Do not try to deal with aggressive insurance adjusters on your own. Contact Rosenberg Hoffman today to speak directly with an experienced Hawaii personal injury lawyer. We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a legal fee if we win compensation for you.
