Michael Gatto

Bio as of June 2020:

Michael E. Gatto owns and manages the Law Office of Michael E. Gatto in Walnut Creek, CA. 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.

Michael regularly speaks on trial practice issues 3 – 5 times per year. Michael has presented on issues including introduction of medical testimony; opening statements; products liability; brain injuries; spine injuries; restitution; cross examination; disfigurement cases; fall cases; wiping out worker’s compensation liens and others.

Michael is a member of CAOC, ACCTLA (Past President – 2018), WTLA, SFTLA, ACBA, CCBA, and NCVBA.

Michael is licensed in California and Arizona. Michael handles cases throughout California and Arizona. In addition, Michael also has handled or is currently working on cases in Washington state, Missouri, and Louisiana.

Articles written by this author:

Spinal injuries 101

Anatomy, spinal trauma, diagnostic testing, and rebuttal of common defense arguments

William Veen
Michael Gatto

2010 November

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

Michael Gatto

2011 October

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

Michael Gatto
Eustace de Saint Phalle

2012 May

To cross or not to cross?

A former prosecutor offers advice on how to structure the cross-exam for maximum impact

Michael Gatto

2013 April

To sub in or not to sub in

A review of the questions to be answered before you substitute in as plaintiff’s counsel

Michael Gatto

2014 April

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

Michael Gatto

2016 April

What are you doing here?

Coverage counsel in third-party litigation: When to bring them in and what to expect

Michael Gatto
Demian Oksenendler

2016 September

Think like a doctor

Tips on understanding medical jargon, appreciating the roles of different medical specialties and the use of analogies in medical testimony

Michael Gatto

2021 March