Joseph M. Barrett obtains justice through litigation, trials, and settlements, bringing economic justice to people while also making the world fairer and safer. A revered trial lawyer for the people, Joe regularly wins millions of dollars in judgments, verdicts and settlements for people who were severely injured or killed because of the negligence of careless corporations who put profits over people, careless drivers of motor vehicles, health care providers, corporations, the police and others.
Joe represents plaintiffs in tort actions, including those that claim negligence, product liability and civil rights violations. His focus is on catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation and trial.
Making the world a better place by winning verdicts and settlements that create everything from safer roads to better medical practices to police accountability, all while improving clients’ lives, is what drives Joseph Barrett.
This recognized premier trial lawyer dedicates himself to finding the answers and solutions to complex and deeply personal matters on behalf of plaintiffs. Joe’s successes in tort law, including negligence, product liability and civil rights, with a focus on catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation, have garnered systemic change and millions of dollars in compensation for those who have suffered harm.
Among Joe’s recent litigation outcomes are a $5 million policy limit settlement in an automobile injury caused by a commercial truck vehicle that failed to act safely at the scene of a crash, which caused a devastating secondary crash; a $8 million settlement on a case involving a bridge collapse during construction on a Los Angeles freeway; a $3.6 million jury verdict in car crash case with a $50,000 pre-trial offer by State Farm. On top of that, Joe’s recent results include a $5.5 million settlement for a young lady who was paralyzed when she fell from a second story apartment bedroom window; a $7 million jury verdict for a woman injured by a LAPD vehicle.
In more than three decades of practice, Joe has won millions of dollars in awards for clients, leveling their playing field in high-stakes litigation against insurance companies, corporations and government entities. His tireless advocacy in sexual harassment, insurance bad faith, automobile accident and other types of matters often garner six-figure verdicts and settlements for those wrongly injured.
Joe also has experienced success handling significant business disputes and high-profile matters involving civic leaders, celebrities, economic and environmental disasters, mass torts and class actions.
Joe is an active member and leader in the Los Angeles and California legal communities. He was the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles president in 2015 and served many years on the Consumer Attorneys of California Board of Governors. He holds the rank of advocate on the American Board of Trial Advocates and is on the St. Thomas More Society of Los Angeles Executive Committee. Joe helped found the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charities, for which he served as president from 2011 to 2012. The organization helps people experiencing homelessness, suffering from disability or working to escape domestic violence, among others.
Joe’s experience handling a variety of catastrophic personal injury matters has made him a sought-after lecturer, author, guest speaker and news commentator on legal issues around negligence and safety. Joe has also been selected by his peers as a Southern California Super Lawyer every year since 2006 and is a top-rated attorney on Avvo. One former client wrote: “Joseph Barrett is amazing. He took on our personal injury case when others wouldn’t. He listened and took the time to get to know our entire family. He answered our questions and kept us informed every step of the way. I highly recommended Joe to anyone needing representation. He delivered above and beyond.”
A Boston native, Joe earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and his law degree from Southwestern University School of Law. He also studied at New England School of Law and Oxford University. Joe spends his spare time with his wife, four children and grandson. Joe has held a legendary career in adult baseball since 1989, and enjoys the arts and participating in many sports, including cycling, ice hockey, basketball, tennis and frisbee golf.
John Lennon sang: “A working class hero is something to be.” These are words that Joe takes to heart and with him every day to court or the negotiation table as he fights for his clients’ rights.