Can an employee sue their employer for a work-related injury in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, the workers' compensation system is designed to provide a no-fault means for employees to receive benefits for work-related injuries, which generally precludes employees from suing their employers for those injuries. The correct answer indicates that an employee can sue only if the employer intentionally caused the injury. This aligns with the principle of workers' compensation, where the trade-off for swift and guaranteed benefits is that employees relinquish the right to sue for negligence or other claims related to their injuries, unless there is clear intent to cause harm on the part of the employer.

By allowing lawsuits in cases of intentional harm, the law acknowledges circumstances where an employer's blatant disregard for employee safety results in injury. This creates accountability for employers who act with malice or gross negligence, thus ensuring that employees retain some legal recourse in situations where the typical protections of the workers' compensation system do not suffice.

Options that suggest an employee can sue under other circumstances, such as being underinsured or resigning, do not accurately reflect the legal framework governing workers' compensation in Hawaii and thus do not provide legitimate grounds for such a lawsuit.