Edward R. Hugo Wins $55 Million Arbitration in Hawai’i

On June 4th, 2019, Plaintiff was drilling for soil samples in Wahiawa, Honolulu, Hawai’i. Contrary to his training, he raised the mast of his drilling rig into a high voltage overhead power line while not standing on the driller’s stand which resulted in him receiving a very severe electric shock causing permanent disabling injuries. Plaintiffs sought $55,229,895.10 in general and special damages.

Because Plaintiff filed his lawsuit against his employer, his burden was to prove that Defendant “engaged in wanton conduct by clear and convincing evidence.”

Iddings v. Mee-Lee, 82 Hawai’i 1, 919 P.2d 263 (Haw. 1996).

The Arbitration Panel unanimously found and concluded that Plaintiff failed to meet his burden of proof regarding causation which resulted in a complete defense verdict.