Carol Ann Murphy has over 35 years of extensive trial and appellate experience in both federal and state court systems in the areas of general liability, product liability, construction law and government or municipal liability.
Ms. Murphy represents a wide range of corporations, businesses, business owners and individuals including homeowners’ associations, condominium associations, property management companies, contractors, retail, restaurant and bar establishments.
Also included within Ms. Murphy’s client base are insurers, homeowners, product manufacturers, industrial plants, apartment complexes, animal owners and rescuers and vehicle operators.
Ms. Murphy has significant expertise in:
•alcohol-related and assault matters against restaurants, bars, clubs and homeowners,
• weather-related fall accidents involving rain, snow or ice,
• slip and fall accidents due to liquids or substances,
• trip and fall accidents involving sidewalk, carpeting, stairs, obstructions and parking lots,
• dog bite or animal attack cases against owners, animal rescues, kennels and animal trainers, and
• product liability involving household and commercial products.
Ms. Murphy’s expertise includes construction litigation involving property damage claims and injury matters, from fractures to amputations and fatalities. She represents general contractors and subcontractors in complex construction cases including building collapses, falls from heights, slip and falls and equipment accidents.
Ms. Murphy also specializes in the defense of municipalities, other governmental authorities and their officials in premises liability matters. She has previous experience defending such entities and individuals in civil rights matters involving wrongful arrest, unlawful search and seizure, excessive force and prison abuse.
Ms. Murphy has experience in all trial, appellate and mediation forums including arbitration hearings (UM/UIM, state court and binding high/low), jury and bench trials and appellate courts.
Ms. Murphy has lectured to attorneys for CLE credits and clients on such topics as liquor liability, municipal liability, dog bite liability, premises liability, civil procedure and discovery strategy as well as having several publications on such topics.
Honors
•AV Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated
•Super Lawyers Rated
Articles & Publications
Dram Shop & Liquor Liability in Pennsylvania
2024 Premises Liability Update
Defending the Dog Bite Case
A Primer for Pennsylvania Municipal Liability Issues
Speaking Engagements
•“Liability on Tap: What Every Litigator Should Know About PA Liquor Law” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, August 2025
•“2024 Premises Liability Litigation” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, February 2024
•“Liquor Liability Law 2023” Pennsylvania Bar Institute and Philadelphia Bar Association, August 2023
•“Dog Bite Litigation Issues” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, July 2023
News & Case Results
Wrongful Death, Dram Shop Claims Dismissed on Summary Judgment in Philadelphia
Arbitration Panel Rules for Defense in Montgomery County Slip and Fall Case
12 Attorneys Named to the 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists
Congratulations to Our 2024 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
