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HRS §663-8.9

No lawsuits for emotional distress from property damage alone

This law says you cannot sue someone for emotional distress caused only by damage to your property. But if that distress leads to a physical injury or a diagnosed mental illness, you may still have a claim.

everyone

The statute, as written — Serious emotional distress arising from property damage; cause of action abolished; exception for physical injury

(a) No party shall be liable for the negligent infliction of serious emotional distress or disturbance if the distress or disturbance arises solely out of damage to property or material objects. (b) This section shall not apply if the serious emotional distress or disturbance results in physical injury to or mental illness of the person who experiences the emotional distress or disturbance. [L Sp 1986, c 2, §22]
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.