West Linn Lawyer Made Headlines in Sexual Abuse Case, a Milestone in a Life Helping Others Overcome Tragedy and Beating Personal Demons
By Nicole Decosta
West Linn Tidings
June 14, 2007
http://www.westlinntidings.com/news/story.php?story_id=118177503904125300
Daniel Gatti could have been a typical tragic tale.
He was molested as a child, and a car crash in college kept him immobile for nearly two years. But he chose not to be a helpless victim.
He became a fighter.
He became empowered.
And now he fights for others.
At 61, Gatti — a lawyer who specializes in serious personal injury cases, cases of sexual abuse and class-action insurance cases — often has his mind running a million miles a minute. Through his own personal experiences with insurance companies and sex abuse cases, Gatti molded a career he can be proud of — helping people in need by giving them a voice.
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| West Linn lawyer Daniel Gatti spends time at home after recently winning the first Catholic Clergy-abuse case in Oregon. Photo by Vern Uyetake |
Gatti, a West Linn resident, is a founding partner of Gatti, Gatti, Maier, Krueger, Sayer and Associates with his brother; a dedicated worker and passionate man who's not afraid to shed a tear in front of a judge while rejoicing in an outcome.
Just out of the courtroom from a three-week, high-profile court case Gatti tried and won the first Catholic clergy-abuse case in Oregon, according to Gatti.
"(This job) is not for the weak or the meek. I don't usually let cases get to me like this. But, when you wake up at two in the morning and throw up, that's sort of an unusual experience for me," Gatti said.
"You have someone's life in your hands and you're praying for the truth to come out and literally asking God every moment I'm thinking about these cases to let me say the right thing, do the right things and be as perceptive as I can."
Personal victories, in and out of the courtroom
In the recent case, plaintiffs Randy Sloan and Robert Paul, who were within the custody of MacLaren School for Boys in Woodburn during the 1970s, claimed during that time Father Michael Sprauer — the School's Catholic Chaplain — molested them multiple times. The jury's verdict of nearly $1.4 million ended the three-week trial on May 16.
The jury found that Sprauer abused the two men, and awarded punitive damages. The State of Oregon, which operated MacLaren, was found negligent.
The jury cleared Sprauer of sexually abusing a third man, Norman Klettke Jr.
The Statesman Journal in Salem reported that 10 of the 12 jurors found that Sprauer sexually abused Paul and Sloan.
"I proved that he was a child molester. I proved that I was not lying," Paul told The Statesman Journal.
To prove this, however, Gatti said the courtroom featured very graphic discussions about mutual masterbation and oral sex. Gatti said he warned the jury at the beginning of the trial to prepare themselves for the graphic content.
Gatti said that now both sides need to determine if they will appeal or settle.
"The Sprauer case consumed me emotionally more than any case I've ever had, and I've had thousands," Gatti said. "I don't know why, maybe it's because of my own childhood experiences, maybe because (Sprauer) was so adamant, maybe because I believed my clients so strongly."
At 9 or 10 years old, Gatti said he was sexually abused while at a summer camp. In his book "White Knuckle," Gatti outlines the struggles that sex abuse victims endure long after being violated.
"I didn't want to sugar coat it," Gatti said. "(I wanted) to have the reader recognize the horrific violence that child abuse is and what carnage it can put on a victim with the hope that through God's grace they can go on from the betrayal of innocence to redemption."
Gatti said it is not uncommon for clients to seek his help because he understands the pain they are going through.
"They are so fearful when they first come to see me," Gatti said. "They are filled with shame. They are filled with guilt. They are filled with anger. Many times I am the first (person) they've ever talked to."
Repressed memories — such as those from being sexually abused — are hidden for years, Gatti said. He calls these S.A.A.D. T.R.I.P.S., standing for Shame, Anger, Alcohol/drugs, Depression, Trust, Relationships, Isolate yourself, Personality disorders and Self-esteem problems.
"I'm suddenly triggering an event that opened up that door, and it just about kills them," Gatti said. "Everyone that is sexually abused thinks that they're the only one."
But they're not alone, and discussions can unfold stories untold.
"To say a priest or anybody is guilty of child abuse is a huge responsibility they don't take lightly," Gatty said. "So, I have a huge responsibility to prove (my case) almost conclusively."
Challenges don't scare Gatti. Seventeen individuals came forward to sue Sprauer for being sexually molested while at MacLaren. Some of Gatti's clients were given a lie detector test before he took on their argument.
"I don't take a case," he said, "unless I believe in my client. Never."
But he said it's often difficult to believe insurance companies, which contributes to the success of another aspect of his practice.
Taming insurance companies
Gatti's case against State Farm Insurance Company was featured in a two-part documentary titled "The Paper Chase" and "Good Neighbor Gone Bad" on NBC's Dateline and won several awards in 2000. "The Paper Chase" was the most popular Dateline series since the Iran hostage crisis, Gatti's Web site states.
The series revealed State Farm's fraudulent "paper review" process in which non-medical personnel would write medical findings denying claims.
"When an insurance company comes in I expect them to be dishonest. I see it everyday," Gatti said. "When you file a claim you now become an enemy because it's going to cost money."
His interest in becoming a personal injury trial lawyer stemmed from a car crash two weeks before his college graduation that left him unable to walk for 21 months. After battles with insurance companies, he settled on a career path.
"By the time I paid lawyers and doctors I got $496, and I went and bought myself a set of golf clubs and said, 'I'm going to be a personal injury lawyer and I'm going to never charge a client more than I get paid.'"
Gatti said 95 percent of his firm's work helps people that have been in automobile accidents. Other medical mishaps also consume the firm — such as those people suffering with irreplaceable damage from cosmetic surgery.
Gatti's interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC's 20/20 revealed the lack of education of those going under the knife and sharpened the fact that a cosmetic surgeon isn't necessarily a Board Certified Plastic surgeon, he said.
Also a father and husband
Gatti keeps his plate full with offices in Salem, Eugene, Vancouver, Beaverton and Portland. He thanks his team of professionals for their combined success, some who have been there for two decades.
He said he always makes time for God and his family — the two most important aspects of his life, he said.
"I couldn't have gotten through (the Sprauer) trial without God on my side. There is no question in my mind," he said.
Gatti attends Southlake Foursquare Church in West Linn with his wife Kathleen and his daughter Mariah, 10, and enjoys travelling several times a year. A few years ago he started taking weekends off from work and relaxing on vacations.
"I caught myself in Spain using my Blackberry and said, 'I can't be doing this anymore,'" he said.
Over the years Gatti has seen different scenarios play out in the courtroom. He said he has built many personal and professional relationships with his clients. But most importantly, he's never given up.
Gatti's unique ability to relate to his clients has assisted him with his professional endeavors and personal growth. His clients seek him out for his professionalism and wisdom.
His experiences coincide with theirs, both in and out of the litigation process. He can understand these people because he is one of these people — just trying to make a difference, just trying to be heard.
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