Hawaii Workers' Compensation Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Hawaii workers' comp attorneys who handle claims before the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), Disability Compensation Division.

Free to use — no fee unless you win
Matched with a Hawaii attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Hawaii workers' compensation case review

A Hawaii attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

How we match your Hawaii workers' compensation case

When you submit a Hawaii workers' compensation matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A workers' compensation matter needs someone who handles workers' compensation work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Hawaii law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Hawaii who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Get started How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Exhibit A

What happens with a workers' compensation claim in Hawaii

Day 0
You’re hurt at work.
Report it to your employer in writing and get medical care. In Hawaii, the report and the first medical visit are the two things every comp claim is built on.
Within 24 hours
Tell us what happened.
Two minutes on this page. A Hawaii workers' compensation attorney reviews it for free and, if it’s a fit, you’re matched within 24 hours.
Weeks 1–4
The claim is filed and documented.
Incident report, medical records, wage history, and the insurer’s acceptance or denial. Your attorney handles the forms and the follow-ups.
Months 1–6
Benefits, and pushback.
Wage-loss and medical benefits should start; insurers routinely dispute treatment or ratings. Your attorney contests denials and independent medical exams.
Before the 2-year deadline
Hearing or petition if needed.
Hawaii gives 2 years from the date it happened. Filing keeps your leverage; missing it ends the claim.
Resolution
Award or settlement.
You pay nothing along the way. The fee — typically 20% — comes only out of what’s recovered. If nothing is recovered, you owe nothing.

Governing Statute: Workers' Comp Act
Hawaii Workers' Compensation Law, HRS § 386-1 et seq.
Agency: DLIR
Hawaii DLIR — Disability Compensation Division
Notice of Injury: As soon
As soon as practicable (HRS § 386-81)
Statute of Limitations: 2 years
2 years from injury or 5 years from accident date (HRS § 386-82)
Attorney Fees: Court-approved
Subject to DLIR approval (HRS § 386-94)
Typical attorney fee: 20%
Approximately 20% (DLIR-approved)

Hawaii's Workers' Compensation Law (HRS § 386-1 et seq.) is administered by the Disability Compensation Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR). Hawaii gives workers significant doctor-choice rights and uses a presumption of compensability under HRS § 386-85 that shifts the burden to the employer to disprove the work connection. Hawaii's tourism, agriculture, military-contractor, and shipping industries generate distinct injury patterns. Pacific Islander and Filipino workforce participation is high; language and immigration concerns add complexity. Attorney fees are subject to DLIR approval under HRS § 386-94. An experienced attorney protects the presumption, secures the right impairment rating, and preserves third-party claims.

Exhibit B

When to call a workers' compensation attorney in Hawaii

Does any of this sound like you? Tap what applies.

Exhibit C

Workers' Compensation cases we take in Hawaii

Which one is closest to yours?

Hospitality and tourism injuries

Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and Disney Aulani workers face housekeeping, kitchen, and grounds injuries. AWW with tips and service charges is critical.

Sound like yours? A Hawaii attorney reviews it free — no fee unless they win.

Start my free review

Exhibit D

How much do Hawaii workers' compensation attorneys cost?

Sample settlement statement

Hawaii · Workers' Compensation

Recovery$100,000

Attorney fee · 20%− $20,000

Case costs (advanced by firm)repaid at the end

To you$80,000

Due today$0

Try a different recovery$100,000

$5,000$3,000,000

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Most Hawaii workers' compensation attorneys work on contingency: the fee is a share of what they recover, and nothing if they don’t.

Hawaii workers' comp attorney fees are subject to DLIR approval under HRS § 386-94, typically running around 20% of the recovery. Third-party tort claims (motor-vehicle, product liability, contractor) run outside the comp system on standard 33%–40% personal-injury contingency.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Get startedTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit E

What your Hawaii workers' compensation compensation can include

A Hawaii workers' compensation recovery is built from several parts. Tap one to see what it covers.

Medical Benefits

Reasonable and necessary medical treatment under HRS § 386-21, including future medical when needed for the injury.

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Exhibit F

Hawaii workers' compensation questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Hawaii attorney will review it for free.

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Two years from the date of the injury (or knowledge thereof) and within 5 years from the date of accident under HRS § 386-82. Notice to employer as soon as practicable under § 386-81.

Hawaii preserves worker choice of physician for the initial treatment and follow-up. The employer/carrier can require an IME, but the worker generally selects their own treating physician.

HRS § 386-85 creates a presumption that a claim is compensable. The burden shifts to the employer to produce substantial evidence to overcome the presumption. This makes Hawaii one of the more worker-favorable systems in the country.

Hawaii workers' comp attorney fees are subject to DLIR approval under HRS § 386-94. Third-party tort claims run on standard 33–40% contingency outside the comp system.

Generally no — exclusive remedy under HRS § 386-5. Narrow intentional-tort exception. Third-party claims against non-employers are not barred.

Yes — Hawaii includes tips and service charges in average weekly wage under HRS § 386-51 when properly documented. Many adjusters under-calculate; an attorney captures the full earnings record.

Many Hawaii construction and service workers are federal contractors at Pearl Harbor, Hickam, Schofield, or Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Coverage may flow under Hawaii comp, the Defense Base Act (federal), or LHWCA — jurisdiction must be analyzed.