Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
Find a Lawyer >
Personal Injury lawyers serving Erie County, OH >
Matthew Barrett
Back to Search Results
Matthew Barrett
The Barrett Law Firm, LLC
1950 Kresge Dr.
Amherst, OH 44001
Phone: (888) 737-6446 | Fax: (877) 266-3182
http://www.thebarrettlawfirm.com
Helping families with injuries in Lorain County, Ohio.
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
We focus on helping families who are suffering due to auto accidents and/or bankruptcy.
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Wrongful Death
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Whiplash
- Felony Auto Accident
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Amputation
- Head/Brain Injury
- Paralysis
Bar Admissions
OH, Nov 1996
Bar Number: 0066984
Other Court Admissions
All Ohio State Courts, Northern District of Ohio Federal Court, Northern District of Ohio Federal Bankruptcy Court, and Ohio Supreme Court.
Association Memberships
American Association for Justice, Ohio Association for Justice, Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers, Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, American Bankruptcy Institute, American Bar Association, Ohio Bar Association, Cleveland-Metropolitan Bar Association, and Lorain County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I've taught continuing legal education seminars on jury selection, premises liability injury claims, legal issues for the medical community, and basics of bankruptcy. I attend continuing legal education on insurance litigation, civil trials, personal injury, and bankruptcy.
Example Cases
My first resolution at The Barrett Law Firm wasn't big, but it's the type of case I'm often taking and proud of. A young lady had been handling a car crash claim on her own and was given a low-ball offer of $1,499. The adjuster refused to negotiate. She knew her claim wasn't a large claim, but also knew it was worth more. She hired another lawyer and the offer he received was $1,499. It was a case where the adjuster believed an attorney wouldn't spend the money litigating. The attorney gave the case up to me, and I was met with the same offer. I litigated and my client received an award of $11,500.
Another client was faced with no offer. He is a young built man whose car was struck in the rear. Because he was turned awkwardly at the time, he suffered an injury to a disk in his back. Since there was no visible property damage and x-rays revealed some pre-existing issues with his back. I believed him. Before trial our demand of $7,000 was turned down. After the verdict and interest, the final award was over $60,000.
Education
Degree:
Associate in Claims
School:
Insurance Institute of America
City:
Information coming soon.
State:
Information coming soon.
Year:
1993
Focus and Accomplishments:
Bodily Injury Liability Claims.
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
School:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
City:
Daytona Beach
State:
FL
Year:
1989
Honors:
Dean's List.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Aeronautical Studies and Management.
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
City:
Cleveland
State:
OH
Year:
1996
Honors:
Dean's List.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Book Award (Highest Grade in Family Law).
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Ohio
Firm Focus and History
The Barrett Law Firm concentrates on helping families struggling with injuries and bankruptcies through the tough times. We offer free consultations, personal attention and a determined voice. Although we have represented clients throughout the entire state of Ohio, most of our clients are located in Lorain, Huron, Erie and Ottawa Counties.
The Barrett Law Firm was established in the first half of 2008. I had been a bodily injury adjuster and received a degree in insurance claims handling. After working in the injury claim field for over 20 years, I opened my own office, still concentrating on injury claims.
Previous Employment Summary
During undergraduate studies in the 1980s, I was an investigator and clerk for a personal injury law firm. In 1989, I became a bodily injury claims representative for State Farm Insurance. I left State Farm at the end of 1993 to go to law school. During law school, I returned to investigating and clerking for a personal injury law firm. After graduating law school in 1996, I became an associate attorney for a personal injury law firm. In 2001, I became a partner. In 2008, I left that firm and started The Barrett Law Firm.
Activities and Awards
Former Pre-School Board Member for St. Peter's UCC
Former In-House League Director for Amherst Youth Soccer Association
Former Chair Citizens for Amherst Schools
Recipient of the Crystal Apple Award (Awarded by Amherst School Board for volunteer work for the schools)
Former Amherst City Councilman-at-Large
Former State Representative
Pro Bono volunteer for Lorain County Legal Aid
Former Board of Trustee Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I point many of my callers in the right direction so they can handle their case on their own. If hiring an attorney is not going to add more value to the claim than the cost of the attorney, I recommend clients educate themselves and handle the claim on their own.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I do this regularly.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I do this regularly.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
To help people.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My extensive experience on both sides of the injury claim handling makes be a better lawyer.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I choose injury law because of my experience in the field. I saw how some people were taken advantage of by an insurance company and thought I could help protect them.
What do you like best about your career?
I like knowing I've helped someone through tough times. Not a single time in my career have I taken a larger fee than what my client was walking away with. Most of my clients come from referrals from previous clients. It is nice to know I was a help and that I was recommended.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner. My wife of 20 years is my receptionist (she was my wife before she was my receptionist!). My assistant is Devona and our book keeper is Valerie. All of my clients deal directly with me.
What are your strengths and style?
My strength is my personal style. I don't judge. When we both agree to be attorney-client, the client gets me all the way through. I work hard to get a settlement offer I feel good about recommending first. I've also argued cases at every level of State court when the offer cannot be negotiated - from Municipal Court to the Supreme Court. I believe in my clients and treat them how I would want to be treated.
Personal Interests:
I spend most of my free time at my children's activities. I have four children involved in scouting, soccer and school. We all like to go camping when we have available time.
Office Manager/Assistant
Devona.
Fax
(877) 266-3182
Office Hours
Monday
9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday through Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. by appointment.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Additional Offices
Cleveland, OH
Fifth/Third Building
600 Superior Ave. East
Thirteenth Floor
Cleveland, OH 44114
(888) 737-6446
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I offer free consultations for every caller. Any injury client who mentions Nolo will, if we agree to represent them, have their pre-suit contingency fee agreement set at 28% (5% off of the standard 1/3).
Hourly Rates
$150 to $175.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, for as long as it takes.
Typical Retainer
No retainer for injury claims.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
