Everyone says "wait and see," but actually that is exactly what the insurer wants.

From the insurance company's side, the message is simple: your child is healing, the bills are still coming in, nobody knows the final damage yet, so take a quick check now and move on. They may ask for a recorded statement, broad medical releases, or say a lawyer will "just take part of the money." After a Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, or Thanksgiving crash around Kaahumanu Avenue, Honoapiilani Highway, or near the airport, they also know Maui's hospital access is limited and follow-up care can be delayed. They use that gap to argue your kid "must not be that hurt."

Reality: if your child has a face injury, dog bite scarring, broken bone, concussion, surgery, dental damage, or a drunk-driver crash, you usually need a lawyer early.

In Hawaii, a child's injury settlement often needs court approval, especially if the amount is significant. A good lawyer handles that, deals with liens, and stops the insurer from boxing you into a cheap number before treatment is finished. Most Hawaii injury lawyers charge a contingency fee, commonly around 33% before suit and higher if litigation starts. You should ask that number up front, in writing.

Look for:

• someone who regularly handles minor injury claims
• clear answers about fees, costs, and court approval
• no pressure to sign the same day
• willingness to explain whether the case is even worth hiring them for

Red flags: they cannot tell you who will actually handle the file, they push you to settle before records are in from Maui Memorial, or they dodge questions about fees.

When not to hire one? If it was truly minor, fully healed fast, and the insurer is paying medical bills fairly.

If you already hired the wrong lawyer, you can fire them in writing and demand your file. In Hawaii, the old lawyer may still claim a lien for work already done, so ask the new lawyer exactly how that gets handled before switching.