Atty. Michael E. Gatto
Michael specializes in prosecution of personal injury claims involving complicated medical issues and theories of liability. He handles industrial accidents, premises liability, products liability, exceptions to workers' compensation, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, toxic tort and maritime cases.
Profile Summary
About Michael E. Gatto at a glance
Michael E. Gatto is a Member based in Walnut Creek, California, practicing at Michael E. Gatto, Attorney at Law. They have 32+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1994. Their practice focuses on car accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, personal injury, and workers comp. Admitted to practice in Arizona (1994) and California (1998). Educated at Golden Gate University School of Law (J.D., 1994) and University of Arizona (B.S. Business, 1990). Serands clients in Walnut Creek, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Michael specializes in prosecution of personal injury claims involving complicated medical issues and theories of liability
- He handles industrial accidents, premises liability, products liability, exceptions to workers' compensation, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, toxic tort and maritime cases
- Michael is dedicated to protecting the rights of the catastrophically injured
- For over 20 years, Michael has handled catastrophic personal injury and medical malpractice cases
- Michael began his Civil Law Career representing doctors and hospitals in medical malpractice actions
- Michael now uses his extensive medical knowledge and complex litigation experience to benefit his clients in personal injury matters exclusively
- In 2014, Michael received one of the largest medical malpractice verdicts in Contra Costa County history
- Per The Recorder, this was the largest medical malpractice verdict in California for the year 2014
- Michael gained tremendous courtroom experience as a Deputy County Attorney in Pima County (Tucson), Arizona, where he represented the State in criminal prosecutions, from arraignment to sentencing, on cases ranging from simple misdemeanors to attempted murders
- As a prosecutor, he handled nearly 100 jury trials and more than 150 bench trials
- Published Works • Maximizing Restitution Orders: How Cooperation Between Prosecutors and Civil Litigators Can Benefit All • What Are You Doing Here? - Coverage counsel in third-party litigation: When to bring them in and what to expect, Plaintiff, September, 2016 • Damages: Thinking Outside the Box to Hit it Out of the Park - A case of severe disfigurement with Prop 51 liability issues reveals why damages are limited only by facts, imagination and tenacity, Plaintiff, April, 2016 • California's Million Dollar Verdicts, Verdict Search - The Recorder, January 26, 2015 • Workers' Comp Subrogation: Don't Allow Your Client to be Extorted - If you "settle around" the employer, you may find yourself at odds with the subrogation attorney, Plaintiff, May, 2012 • Don't Get Tripped Up in Your Next Fall Case - Defense verdicts are common and comparative fault is often substantial, but careful analysis of the venue and circumstances can lead to a convincing case for liability, Plaintiff, October, 2011 • Spinal Injuries 101 - Anatomy, spinal trauma, diagnostic testing, and rebuttal of common defense arguments, Plaintiff, November, 2010 • To Cross or Not To Cross?
- A former prosecutor offers advice on how to structure the cross-exam for maximum impact, Plaintiff, April, 2013 Honors • Best Lawyers in America • Super Lawyers • National Association of Distinguished Counsel Professional Associations • Alameda Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association - President 2018 • Consumer Attorneys of California • Contra Costa County Bar Association • Western Trial Lawyers Association
Practice Areas Explained
Michael E. Gatto's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael E. Gatto handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Hurt in a car crash? Car accident lawyers fight insurance companies for fair compensation — free consult, no fee unless you win.
Michael E. Gatto is one of 36,807 car accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse car accidents attorneys in California →
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
Michael E. Gatto is one of 49,086 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in California →
Michael E. Gatto is one of 31,253 wrongful death attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wrongful death attorneys in California →
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Michael E. Gatto is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →
Workers compensation lawyers help injured workers get medical care, lost wages, and disability benefits. Free consult, no fee unless you win.
Michael E. Gatto is one of 55,389 workers comp attorneys indexed nationally. Browse workers comp attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in California
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Walnut Creek are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Walnut Creek or all attorneys in California.
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