Matthew J. Blancato
About Matthew
Biography
I’m a founding partner at Martin & Blancato, APC, specializing in complex workers’ compensation and crossover personal injury cases—including traumatic brain and spinal injuries, amputations, and wrongful deaths. I’ve successfully handled some of California’s most challenging workers’ comp cases, securing seven-figure settlements and multiple 100% permanent disability awards at trial.
I’ve spent most of my life in San Diego, growing up in Chula Vista and attending St. Augustine High School and UC San Diego. I started in law as a file clerk and legal assistant at an insurance defense firm before deciding to become an attorney to help injured individuals. I earned an academic scholarship to DePaul University College of Law in Chicago. After graduating, I returned to San Diego and spent 13 years at a firm focused on workers’ compensation and personal injury, before co-founding Martin & Blancato, APC in 2024.
Early in my career, I saw how overwhelming it is for injured workers to navigate the legal system while managing their health and livelihood. I’ve dedicated my practice to helping clients get the medical treatment, benefits, and support they deserve. I build a tailored strategy for every case and pride myself on finding creative, effective solutions. I genuinely care about my clients, and I believe that’s evident in every interaction with me and my team.
I’m a member of the San Diego County Bar Association and its Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS), as well as the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association (CAAA). I’ve presented at several CAAA legal conferences—including in Maui—and regularly host free informational seminars for labor union members across San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial counties.
I live in Bay Park with my wife, three kids, and our dog. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, cooking, exercising, playing golf, attending my kids’ activities, and cheering on the San Diego Padres.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
14 years
14 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
15%-40%
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 14 years
State: California
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
Location
Martin & Blancato, APC
3530 Camino Del Rio North, Suite 202, San Diego, CA, 92108
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Matthew J. Blancato's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
131 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 131 reviews
Posted by Elsa | March 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Tough case
Excellent firm . Help me with my case and always answer my questions , my case was tough
Posted by Ricardo C | March 09, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
A diamond in the rough attorneys in San Diego.
Was there with me for all my legal needs for the past 10 years. Always responsive, kept me up to date when I received legal notices and got me great outcomes. I have always been highly confident in recommended Matthew to my family and friends. Wonderful staff also, so friendly and attentive.
Posted by anonymous | February 20, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Workers Compensation
Best Workers compensation Attorney
If you need a workers compensation attorney to represent you in a case I highly recommend hiring Mr Blancato. He is hands down the best workers compensation attorney in san diego. He did an amazing job for me. I am very satisfied with the work he did for me and the settlement he was able to negotiate...
Posted by Mark | February 19, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Workers Compensation
Turned an “Impossible” Case Into a Clear Path Forward
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Matthew Blancato turned an impossible and difficult case into one that felt manageable and winnable. From the start, he was professional, responsive, and incredibly thorough. He took the time to explain the process in plain English, stayed on top of every detail, and made sure I always knew ...
Posted by Saloomeh | February 17, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Workers Compensation
Excellent Workers’ Compensation Attorney
I had an outstanding experience working with Matthew Blancato on my workers’ compensation case. He demonstrated strong knowledge of the law, clear strategic thinking, and excellent communication throughout the entire process. Mr. Blancato was always responsive, patient in answering my questions, and...
Matthew J. Blancato's Lawyer Endorsements
"Matthew is the kind of attorney we should all aspire to be. Not only does he consistently get excellent results for his clients he does so in a way that is aggressive but also polite-- leaving even his opponents with an appreciation for his advocacy style. He is always responsive to his clients needs however great or numerous they are; he is impeccably organized, personable, polished, and effective. He is an attorney I would not only endorse but would hire for myself."
"Matthew Blancato is an experienced attorney whose participation and comments in Avvo show his commitment to serving clients as well as his level of experience. He is an excellent attorney that I recommend wholeheartedly."
"I endorse this lawyer. The attorney works very hard for the clients and keeps up with the law by attending legal seminars to assist them in this regard. I endorse this attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Matt is an incredibly gifted attorney who has won the most difficult of cases. He is very honest, gifted with explaining a case to clients and is a very positive and friendly attorney. His clients always comment on how professional he is and how his service is without peer."
"Matthew is an excellent attorney who epitomizes what it means to advocate on your client's behalf. He is a great guy and very easy to work with. I hear nothing but positive feedback from his clients whom I represent in other matters."
"Mr. Blancato is an excellent attorney and I am proud to endorse him. He is direct, compassionate and an asset to any potential client."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Blancato is a fine lawyer and more importantly, a fine and trustworthy human being. His sense of fairness and his willingness to aggressively advocate for his clients sets him apart from his peers and garners their respect. I unreservedly endorse him."
"Matt is a smart, passionate and creative lawyer. Whatever it takes, within the parameters of the law...Matt delivers for his clients. I am proud to endorse him."
Tax lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Immigration lawyer
Workers compensation lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Workers compensation lawyer
Workers compensation lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Workers compensation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2024
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2023
LRIS Consumer Advocate Award, San Diego County Bar Association
2023
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2022
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
Work Experience
2024 - Present
Founding Partner, Martin & Blancato, APC
2012 - 2024
Associate Attorney, Hiden, Rott & Oertle, LLP
2011 - 2011
Judicial Law Clerk, Circuit Court Of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois
2010 - 2011
Law Clerk, Chicago Housing Authority
Associations
2018 - Present
California Applicants' Attorneys Association
2012 - Present
San Diego County Bar Association
Sample of Legal Cases
$2,500,000 "new money" C&R
$1,100,000
$2,500,000 C&R
$4,650,000 C&R
$1,200,000 settlement at mediation
$2,900,000 C&R
$1,800,000 C&R
$500,000 settlement
$426,758 C&R
$350,000 C&R
$2,850,000 C&R
Education
2013
Juris Doctor
2006
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2023
Medicare Set Asides
2023
Direct Psychiatric Injuries
2015
Workers' Compensation
2015
Workers' Compensation
2015
Workers' Compensation
2015
Workers' Compensation
Languages
English
Spanish