Atty. Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy
Francis Patrick Murphy - Patrick Murphy - a Chicago personal injury lawyer, has been with the law firm of Corboy & Demetrio since 1983 and became a partner in 1991. He regularly handles complex personal injury and wrongful death cases involving porch and deck collapses, aviation negligence, construction negligence, product liability, premises liability and claims resulting from railroad, automobile, and other vehicular negligence.
Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs Attorney · Serving Chicago, IL
Profile Summary
About Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy at a Glance
Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy is a personal injury attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at Corboy & Demetrio. Educated at Illinois Institute of Technology (J.D., 1975) and Northwestern University (B.S., 1970). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — COVID-19 (2026). Serves clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy
- Francis Patrick Murphy - Patrick Murphy - a Chicago personal injury lawyer, has been with the law firm of Corboy & Demetrio since 1983 and became a partner in 1991
- He regularly handles complex personal injury and wrongful death cases involving porch and deck collapses, aviation negligence, construction negligence, product liability, premises liability and claims resulting from railroad, automobile, and other vehicular negligence
- Patrick is a highly sought after lawyer in porch and deck collapse cases due to his extensive experience and numerous successes
- Patrick represented several victims of the 2003 Lincoln Park porch collapse and was instrumental in brokering a global settlement of $16.6 million
- He secured a record-setting $4 million settlement for a young woman who fell from a porch when a railing broke away
- It is the highest settlement in Illinois for an injury resulting from a defective porch railing
- In another case, Patrick was successful in securing $2.15 million for a couple who were injured when a deck railing gave way and they fell to the ground
- He also represented the surviving family of a young man killed when he fell through a porch railing at a New Year's Eve Party
- The decedent's Blood Alcohol Level was .345 when he fell
- Patrick settled the case for $2.7 million
- He also represented a McHenry County woman who fell one story as she stepped onto her deck from her kitchen, settling for $1 million
- Patrick has more than fifty settlements and verdicts of $1 million or more
- Among his many accomplishments is a $7.5 million settlement that was secured on behalf of his client, a nationally renowned oboist from the Chicago Lyric Opera and Grant Park Symphony, whose musical career was ended when she was struck by a Chicago Transit Authority bus while crossing a Chicago street
- Patrick also obtained a record-high settlement of $2.5 million for the death of an 88-year-old woman, who was killed when the car she was riding in was hit from behind by another car
- In another case involving senior citizens, Patrick secured a $6.8 million settlement for a 69-year-old woman and her 71- year-old husband for injuries she sustained when she was hit by a bus
- Since 2020, Patrick has been named to The Best Lawyers in America
- In addition, Patrick is an Illinois Super Lawyer and has an AV rating - the highest level awarded for professional excellence - from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
- He is also a designated member of Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America, a distinction awarded to only 500 of the 1.2 million lawyers in the United States
- Since 2019, Patrick has been selected to Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers
- He is recognized as an attorney in the top 5% of all Illinois lawyers by the Leading Lawyer Network and was profiled in Leading Lawyers Magazine - Consumer Edition for 2011, in an article entitled, "Gentleman Lawyer for Injury Victims
- The article highlights Patrick's extensive experience and success in representing victims in porch collapse cases
- The media often reports on Patrick's outstanding record of success and his extensive experience
- His verdict in a high-profile railroad case was chronicled on "Good Morning America," ABC's national television morning news show
- He was highlighted on "Inside Edition" for his handling of one of the cases from the Chicago porch collapse tragedy of June 29, 2003
- In a show dedicated to child safety issues, Oprah featured Patrick’s wrongful death case of 12-year-old Catherine "Casey" Fish, who choked to death while playing a game of Chubby Bunny - stuffing marshmallows into one's mouth - in her grade school classroom
- Patrick was featured on Fox News for his representation of a woman seriously injured when her second story deck collapsed
- Patrick also served as a legal commentator for Fox News Chicago regarding a young man who fell to his death at a Chicago Bear's game at Solider Field
- Recognized as an attorney in the top 5% of all Illinois lawyers by the Leading Lawyer Network, Patrick is an Illinois Super Lawyer and has an AV rating - the highest level awarded for professional excellence - from the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
- The author of numerous legal articles, Patrick is a frequent lecturer for various bar associations and is an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he has regularly taught since 1987
- Patrick was appointed to the Board of Directors of Lawyers' Assistance Program by the Illinois Supreme Court, serving as President from 2013-2015, Secretary from 2015-2016, Treasurer from 2017-2018, Vice-President from 2018-2019, and again serving as President in 2020
- In 2019, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago
- Mr. Murphy began his career as an Assistant Public Defender with the Cook County Public Defender's Office
- Before becoming a lawyer, he worked for A.B
- Dick Company in marketing and sales
Practice Areas Explained
Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Chicago.
Personal Injury in Chicago
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Illinois →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Chicago
Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Chicago Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Chicago-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Chicago Choose Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy's practice in the field of personal injury.
Focused Personal Injury Practice
Concentrating on personal injury means Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Chicago
A Chicago-based practice means Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy Handles in Chicago
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy has experience with under Illinois law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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Francis Patrick "Patrick" Murphy's Practice Areas & Specializations
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