Aggressive And Skilled Legal Advocacy.

*Prior results do not guarantee future outcome.

A History Of Success In California

At the Law Office of Michael E. Gatto PC, our firm strives to achieve the best possible outcome for every one of our clients. Below are some examples of verdicts and settlements won by talented personal injury lawyer, Michael Gatto.


$112,255,781.82 Jury Verdict (Future Value); $12,132,780 (Present Value)

Brian C. v. Contra Costa County

One fetus died and the survivor suffered severe permanent brain damage due to negligent obstetrical care.

Contra Costa Times Article

Verdict Search – Largest Medical Malpractice Verdict in California in 2014


Settlement: $10,535,000

Doe Husband and Doe Wife v. CONSUMES Community Services District, et al.

On July 14, 2018, Doe Husband, a 62-year- old man, attended the Elk Grove Summer- fest at the Elk Grove Regional Park and was sitting near a band listening to music when a huge 4,500 pound tree branch fell 40 feet from above, causing severe injuries to him including paralysis of his lower body (paraplegia). Doe Wife was nearby and witnessed his injury.

Plaintiffs asserted liability upon the governmental entity that owned the park – dangerous condition of public property; the government’s arborist – professional negligence; and, the entity that hosted the event – premises liability. Plaintiffs claimed the tree that caused the injuries had been previously identified as a hazardous tree in 2011. Plaintiffs claimed that an improper flush pruning cut many years before the accident created an opening in the branch that created a pathway for decay fungi to destroy the wood internally, and that a large hole that was visible from the ground for several years was a clear indicator of internal decay that should have been discovered and the branch removed several years before the accident. An inspection several years before the branch failure would have revealed a lengthy internal cavity with massive insect infestation.

In 2017, Defendants again failed to inspect the tree and discover the large internal cavity and remove the dangerous branch. The Park Manager stated, “We keep losing limbs” and identified several trees to be pruned, including the tree with the internally decayed branch. When the cost of pruning was told to him by the District’s arborist, the Park Manager did not follow through with an inspection and failed to remove the hazardous decayed branch. Within a year, the branch broke and fell, causing severe life-changing injuries to the plaintiff.

The event host “controlled” the land. They failed to conduct any investigation to ensure safety of attendees.

Plaintiff suffered a burst fracture at L4, comprehension fracture at L2 and a fracture at L1, rendering him an incomplete paraplegic (impaired signal leading to profound neuro deficits) with neurogenic bowel and bladder. He also received a fractured left scapula and other fractures. After extensive physical therapy, he can now walk a few steps with assistance but relies on his wheelchair most of the time.

Settlement secured his physical and financial future and will provide a safe living environment and maximal quality of life


$10,000,000 Settlement

Birth injury leading to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy/cerebral palsy.


Laverone v. Express Services, Inc. and Motor Parts Distributors, Inc. $8,850,000.00

Former police officer survived head on collision with combined closing speed of 100+ mph. He suffered over 30 fractures; a brain bleed; and, was acutely hospitalized for nearly two weeks followed by 100 days of post-acute rehab. We proved responsible driver was in course and scope of employment of both Express, the Temp Agency he was paid by, and Motor Parts, the entity to whom the Temp Agency sent him to work.

After nearly 4 years of litigation, Laverone recovered sufficient money to ensure his necessary future care and comfort.

Animation of the collision and injuries was instrumental in settlement. See it here: 3D Forensics Link.


$5,850,000 Settlement:  Craigg v. City of Manteca, Et. Al.

Two motorcyclists suffered fatal injuries due to dangerous condition of roadway in Manteca.


$5,000,000 Confidential Settlement

Motorist suffered paraplegia due to dangerous condition of roadway.


$4,200,000 Confidential Settlement: Lynda S. v. Doe International Conglomerate

Worker suffered lumbar and cervical injuries while walking backwards to take a photograph.


$3,404,173 Settlement: Arguello v. Norman’s Nursery, Inc. Santa Cruz County Superior Court

31 year old disabled man and his 53 year old father rear-ended on Highway 1. Son suffered lumbar spine fractures and exacerbation of pre-existing seizure disorder. Father suffered aggravation of pre-existing degenerated cervical spine treated non-surgically.


$3,300,000 Confidential Settlement

Tenants exposed to chemical that was both neurotoxin and carcinogen.


$3,000,000.00 Settlement – Esquivel v. Contra Costa County

Delayed Response to Obstetrical Emergency resulted in spastic quadriplegia.

Verdict Search – Family: Hospital failed to recognize fetal distress prior to delivery


$2,500,000 Settlement: Enkhamgalan, et al. v. Contra Costa County

Failure to identify and respond to evidence of fetal distress results in brain injury.


$2,000,000.00 Confidential Settlement – Doe Patient v. Roe Skilled Nursing Facility

Failure to administer anticoagulation as ordered. Resulted in severe stroke. Forensic analysis demonstrated record falsification.


Confidential Multimillion-Dollar Settlement – Death Of 8-Year-Old Boy In Boating Accident Caused By Obscured Coffer Dam

An 8-year-old boy was killed in a tragic boat accident in 2015 when the boat struck a coffer dam. Coffer dams are designed to protect against erosion around bride stanchions. In 1972 four warning signs were placed to warn boaters of the coffer dam which protruded 20 feet out into the main channel. These warning signs were not maintained and had disappeared before the accident. Investigation established the coffer dam and that it was submerged approximately 22 hours per day making it extremely dangerous.

The child was riding on the front of the boat when it struck the coffer dam throwing him into the water. The propeller then inflicted fatal wounds. Michael established through his medical knowledge the agony the child suffered pre-death, known as a Survival Claim. These facts greatly increased the settlement value.


$1,700,000 Settlement: Cynthia H. v. Rugg, Et. al.

District Attorney Investigator sustained cervical spine injuries requiring artificial disc surgery due to three separate low speed collisions.


$1,625,000 Settlement For Wrongful Death Of 69-Year-Old Security Guard Killed By Defective “Rolling Gate”

A 69-year-old security guard died while underneath a defective heavy rolling metal security gate that fell on him as he was closing the gate in a freight trucking yard in Modesto, California. The County Coroner issued an autopsy report the rolling gate was not a factor in the death. Through Michael’s medical knowledge, he was able to establish the Coroner relied upon incomplete and faulty information.

Michael proved oxygen demand from anxiety or exertion from trying to extricate himself from the rolling gate triggered a fatal arrhythmia. Michael hired a forensic pathologist; cardiologist and biomechanist to establish these facts and convince the defense to settle.

After two plus years of litigation, the freight delivery company that owned the gate; the maintenance company for the lot; and, the local contractor who installed new rollers and wheels on the gate approximately 3 months before the gate fell contributed to settlement.


$1,600,000 Settlement Bus Driver Runs Over Child Causing Death

An Alameda -Contra Costa Transit District bus struck a 2 year old child who was chasing a ball on a residential Oakland Street on September 20, 2016. Esera Verdict


$1,600,000 Confidential Product Liability Settlement


$1,500,000 Confidential Settlement against Conglomerate Delivery Company


$1,450,000.00 Janissa W. v. Hayward Area Recreation District

Seven year old girl “scalped” by BBQ pit, a dangerous condition at local park.


$1,250,000 Settlement

Special Needs first grade student suffered fractured femur.


$1,250,000 Settlement

Guest is run over and killed at party by drunk driver. $250,000 recovered from driver. $1,000,000 recovered from homeowner for failure to render aid.


Confidential Medical Malpractice Settlement

Negligent OB care results in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy/cerebral palsy.


Marchant, et al. v. TW Zone, Inc., dba Tire & Wheel Zone $1,000,0000 Settlement

Negligent installment of lift kit resulted in rollover collision. Passenger suffered multiple cervical fractures without paralysis. Claimed future pain management facilitated quick Policy Limits resolution.