Minnesota Personal Injury Lawyers
You’ve been hurt. You’re not sure what your next step is, or whether you even have a case.
When you call Swor & Gatto, you get Paul, Marcus, or J.P. Gatto on the line (an attorney, not a case manager), ready to tell you exactly where you stand. We’ve recovered more than $250 million for over 10,000 clients across Minnesota, handling everything from car accidents and medical malpractice to wrongful death and workplace injuries.
If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, call (651) 454-3600 for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
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If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, call (651) 454-3600 for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle
We represent Minnesotans across every type of personal injury case. Your injury might've happened on the road, at work, on someone else's property, or in a medical setting. Whatever the situation, we have attorneys with specific experience in cases like yours.
Car Accidents
Minnesota's no-fault insurance system makes car accident claims complicated. We handle everything from rear-end collisions to multi-vehicle pileups, and we know how to move your case beyond the no-fault threshold when your injuries are serious.
Truck Accidents
Commercial truck crashes involve federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and catastrophic injuries. We know how to build these complex cases and hold trucking companies accountable.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists don't have no-fault protection in Minnesota (Minn. Stat. § 65B.43). That changes how your claim works from day one, and it means you need an attorney who understands the difference.
Bicycle Accidents
Drivers, road hazards, and unclear liability make bicycle accident cases challenging. We fight for riders who've been hit or forced off the road.Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians have the right of way, but insurance companies still try to shift blame. We build the evidence that proves what happened.Catastrophic & Serious Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and severe burns change every part of your life. We work with medical experts to document the full long-term impact and fight for the compensation that covers it.
Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
Minnesota imposes strict liability on dog owners (Minn. Stat. § 347.22). You don't have to prove the owner was negligent to recover compensation for your injuries.
Premises Liability
Injuries at apartment complexes, retail stores, restaurants, or public spaces often come down to whether the property owner knew about the hazard. We investigate the facts and pursue the responsible parties.
Slip and Fall
Property owners in Minnesota have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions. When they don't, and you get hurt, we hold them accountable.Workplace Injuries
If a third party caused your workplace injury, you may have a claim beyond workers' compensation. We'll help you understand all your options.
Product Liability
Defective products cause injuries every day. We take on manufacturers, distributors, and retailers when their products fail.
Farming Accidents
Farm equipment malfunctions, grain bin accidents, and chemical exposures cause devastating injuries across rural Minnesota. We handle the complex liability issues that come with agricultural injury cases.
Recreational Vehicle Accidents
Snowmobile crashes, ATV rollovers, and boating accidents are common across Minnesota. Whether your injury involves a defective vehicle or another party's negligence, we know how to build these cases.
Wrongful Death
Minnesota's 2023 Survivorship Statute expanded the rights of families who've lost a loved one to negligence. We help families pursue the compensation they deserve.Let us help you with your personal injury claim
Why Choose Swor & Gatto for Your Personal Injury Case
Your Lawyer Picks Up the Phone
Here’s what makes us different from most firms: when you call Swor & Gatto, one of our attorneys calls you back. Not a paralegal. Not a case manager. Paul, Marcus, or J.P. Gatto, personally.
We’ve driven to clients’ homes and hospital rooms to sit down and talk through their cases. We do this because a personal injury case isn’t just a file number. It’s your life, and you deserve to talk to the person who’s actually going to fight for you.
$250 Million+ Recovered for Injured Minnesotans
Numbers tell the story. Since 1981, we’ve recovered more than $250 million for injured Minnesotans. That’s thousands of families who got compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care.
We don’t just claim results. We have four decades of them.
Over 40 Years in Minnesota Courts
Mike Swor and Paul Gatto founded this firm in 1981. Mike passed away in 2024, and the standard he and Paul set is the one all three Gatto attorneys carry forward every day: prepare every case like it’s going to trial, treat every client like they’re the only one.
That kind of experience compounds. We know Minnesota’s courts, its judges, and how local insurance adjusters operate. We’ve been working with this state’s no-fault rules, its comparative fault system (Minn. Stat. § 604.01), and the absence of caps on malpractice damages for over four decades.
95% of Our Cases Settle Without Going to Court
Most of our clients never set foot in a courtroom. That’s not because we avoid trial. It’s because opposing counsel and insurance companies know we’re prepared to go there.
When the other side knows a firm has the resources and the track record to win at trial, they’re more likely to offer a fair settlement. That’s an advantage our clients benefit from in every case.
No Fee Unless You Win
We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, no hourly fees, no retainer. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery, and if we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
Free Consultation
Not sure if you have a case? Call us. We’ll review the details, explain your options, and give you an honest assessment. No obligation, no pressure. If we can help, we’ll tell you how. If your case needs a different type of attorney, we’ll point you in the right direction.
Meet Paul, Marcus, and J.P. Gatto — learn how our firm fights for injured Minnesotans.
Awards and Recognition
Our attorneys have been recognized by organizations including the American Society of Legal Advocates, Martindale-Hubbell (AV Preeminent), and the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. J.P. has been named a Super Lawyer every year since 2014. Marcus has been named a Super Lawyer Rising Star and is a graduate of the ABOTA Trial Academy at Harvard Law School.
What to Expect When You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer investigates your accident, calculates the full value of your damages, negotiates with insurance companies, and takes your case to trial if they won’t offer fair compensation. Here’s how the process works at Swor & Gatto.
Free Case Review
You call or fill out our contact form. One of our attorneys personally reviews the details of your accident, answers your questions, and tells you whether you have a case. This costs you nothing.
Investigation
We gather evidence: police reports, medical records, witness statements, expert opinions. For complex cases like truck accidents or medical malpractice, this phase can take weeks or months. The goal is to build the strongest possible foundation for your claim.
Demand & Negotiation
We calculate the full value of your claim, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future costs. Then we present a demand to the insurance company. Most cases settle during this phase because we back every demand with evidence.
Litigation (If Needed)
If the insurance company won't offer fair compensation, we file a lawsuit and prepare for trial. The other side knows we're willing to go to court, and that alone often improves settlement offers even after litigation begins.
Resolution
You receive your compensation. Our fee comes out of the recovery. If we don't win, you don't pay.
How Does Personal Injury Law Work in Minnesota?
Every state handles personal injury differently. Minnesota has specific rules that affect how your case is filed, how fault is determined, and what compensation you can recover. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury in Minnesota?
Minnesota gives you six years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (Minn. Stat. § 541.05). That’s longer than most states, but waiting too long weakens your case.
Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and medical records become harder to connect to the original incident. Certain exceptions apply for minors, government claims, and cases involving latent injuries discovered after the fact.
How Does Minnesota’s Comparative Fault Rule Work?
Minnesota follows a modified comparative fault system (Minn. Stat. § 604.01). You can recover compensation as long as you’re less than 51% at fault for the accident. Your award goes down by your share of responsibility.
For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you’re found 20% at fault, you receive $80,000. Insurance companies regularly try to inflate your share of blame to reduce what they pay. That’s one of the main reasons to have an attorney reviewing the evidence and pushing back.
What Is Minnesota’s No-Fault Auto Insurance System?
Minnesota is a no-fault state, meaning your own insurance pays your initial medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident (Minn. Stat. § 65B.41–71).
You can step outside no-fault and sue the at-fault driver in certain situations. If your medical bills top $4,000, or if you suffered a permanent injury, disfigurement, or disability, you qualify. Knowing when you can go beyond no-fault is one of the first things we look at during a consultation.
Are There Caps on Personal Injury Damages in Minnesota?Are There Caps on Personal Injury Damages in Minnesota?
Minnesota doesn’t cap compensatory damages in personal injury cases, including medical malpractice. There’s no ceiling on what a jury can award for medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering.
Punitive damages are subject to judicial review but aren’t statutorily capped the way they are in many other states. That’s one of the reasons Minnesota is considered a strong state for injured plaintiffs.
Serving Injured Minnesotans Across the Twin Cities and Beyond
Our office is in St. Paul, but we represent clients throughout Minnesota. Whether your accident happened in Minneapolis, the East Metro suburbs, or Greater Minnesota, we handle cases across the state.
We’ve practiced in courthouses across the metro for over 40 years, including Ramsey County District Court and Hennepin County District Court. We know the highways and intersections where accidents happen most, the medical facilities where our clients receive treatment, and the workplaces and properties where injuries occur.
We serve clients in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eagan, Woodbury, Roseville, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Plymouth, Maple Grove, and communities throughout the Twin Cities metro. We also represent clients in Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, and across Greater Minnesota.
If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you. We’ve sat at kitchen tables and in hospital rooms to talk through cases with clients who couldn’t travel. We offer free consultations by phone, video, or in person, wherever works for you.
Meet Our Attorneys
Swor & Gatto is a three-attorney firm, and that’s by design. When you hire us, you work directly with Paul, Marcus, or J.P. There’s no hand-off to a junior associate, no getting lost in a caseload. You get a lawyer who knows your name, your case, and what’s at stake.
Attorney
Marcus Gatto
Marcus grew up around this firm — his father Paul co-founded Swor & Gatto in 1981 and still practices here today. He’s handled personal injury cases from initial interview through jury trial and appeal, tried cases before juries, judges, and arbitrators across Minnesota, and is a graduate of the ABOTA Trial Academy at Harvard Law School. He’s been named a Super Lawyer Rising Star and serves the firm’s Spanish-speaking clients directly.
Attorney
J.P. Gatto
Paul Gatto
What our clients are saying
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Claims
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
Do I need a personal injury lawyer?
In most cases, yes. If your injury required medical treatment, caused you to miss work, or was caused by someone else’s negligence, talking to a personal injury lawyer is worth it.
Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys working to minimize what they pay. A lawyer levels the playing field. Consultations are typically free, so there’s no financial risk in getting a professional opinion.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Minnesota?
Six years from the date of injury (Minn. Stat. § 541.05). That’s one of the longest windows in the country, but evidence weakens over time. The sooner you consult a lawyer, the stronger your case.
Special rules may apply for minors, government entities, and cases involving latent injuries.
How long does a personal injury case take?
Most personal injury cases in Minnesota settle within 12 to 18 months. Complex cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or multiple parties can take two years or longer. Cases that go to trial add additional time. Your attorney should give you a realistic timeline during your initial consultation.
What types of compensation can I receive?
Minnesota personal injury law allows you to recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future care costs), non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life), and in extreme cases, punitive damages.
The value of your case depends on the severity of your injury, the clarity of liability, and the available insurance coverage.
What should I do after an accident in Minnesota?
Get medical help first, even if you feel fine. Then document the scene with photos, exchange information with the other party, and file a police report.
Don’t give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Contact a personal injury lawyer before accepting any settlement offers.
How do I choose the right personal injury lawyer?
Focus on three things: experience with your type of case, a track record of results, and what past clients say.
Ask about their fee structure, how many cases they’re currently handling, and whether your case will get personal attention or be handed off to a junior associate. A firm that communicates clearly from the first phone call will usually keep communicating throughout your case.
What if I was partially at fault for my accident?
You can still recover compensation under Minnesota’s comparative fault rule, as long as you’re less than 51% responsible (Minn. Stat. § 604.01). Your award goes down by your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame to you to reduce what they pay. That’s one of the main reasons to have an attorney reviewing the evidence and pushing back on inflated fault claims.
Injured in Minnesota? Talk to Our Attorneys Today.
You don’t have to face the insurance companies alone. Call (651) 454-3600 or fill out our contact form for a free, no-obligation case review. One of our attorneys will personally review your situation, explain your options, and tell you what we think your case is worth.
If we take your case, you pay nothing unless we win.
40+
years of experience
Recovered
Cases Handled