Baltimore Civil Rights Lawyers

Since 1939, the Murphy family has been fighting for civil rights in the Baltimore area. We have seen decades of civil rights violations and have been fighting for justice every step of the way.

Murphy, Falcon & Murphy established their firm on the principles of justice, respect, and dignity, upholding those traits with every case we work with. If you feel you’ve been the victim of discrimination, police brutality, hate crime, or racial profiling, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Baltimore civil rights lawyers. We want to help you.

Justice Has to Start Somewhere

Founding partner Judge William “Billy” Murphy, Jr. began his crusade into law to follow in the footsteps of his father, Judge William H. Murphy, Sr. In 1939, Judge Murphy, Sr. enrolled in the University of Maryland Law School as the third African American student in attendance. At the time, the president of the school offered to pay Murphy’s tuition and expenses to Harvard in an effort to keep his campus segregated. Judge Murphy passed on the offer and received his J.D. from the school in 1946, after also serving time in World War II.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Judge Billy Murphy, Jr. received his J.D. also and helped establish the firm Baltimore personal injury and civil rights law firm, Murphy, Falcon & Murphy. During this time, the firm has represented many different civil rights cases with tremendous results. For nearly 45 years, Murphy has been the lawyer to call for the disenfranchised in the Baltimore area.

Image 1

Types of Civil Rights Violations

Civil rights protected by law include unfair treatment due to race, nationality, disability, gender, age, and religion. Discrimination of this sort can take on many different forms.

- Police misconduct and brutality

- Campus sexual assault and harassment

- Housing discrimination

- Employment discrimination

- Discriminatory lending practices

- Wrongful convictions

- Excessive use of force

- Civil Rights Act of 1964 violations

- Racial profiling

- Religious discrimination

If you feel that you have had any of your civil rights violated, call Murphy, Falcon & Murphy today for a free consultation, with no costs required upfront.

What Is a Civil Case?

When it comes to legal matters, there are two main types of lawsuits: civil and criminal. Civil cases are typically used to provide reparation to victims of accidents, while criminal cases are used to convict and punish wrongdoers. Generally, civil cases involve torts (wrongful acts) or contracts and are rooted in negligence (failure to take reasonable care) that leads to property damage or injuries. To have grounds for a civil case, four main elements must be present: a duty of care owed to the plaintiff, a breach of that duty, a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the breach and the accident, and actual damages. For instance, an employer would owe a duty of care to their employees, such as providing a safe workplace environment. If the employer fails to meet this duty, and the employee experiences harm as a result, they may have grounds for a civil case.

Image 2

Civil Case Examples

With more than 70 years of experience handling civil claims, our Baltimore law firm is uniquely suited to identify what is and is not grounds for a claim. No two cases are alike, but some common circumstances often lead to civil lawsuits. Our lawyers can come up with many examples of civil cases, including many that are likely comparable to yours. We know how to help each distinct client. The following are a few examples of civil cases that could arise in Baltimore:

Breach of Contract Claim

A breach of contract occurs when one party fails to fulfill their obligations under the contract, either written or oral. This could include failing to deliver goods on time, breaking a non-compete agreement, or acting against the terms of the agreement. In all cases, it is important to understand the full terms of the contract to ensure that any breach of contract is handled properly.

Tort claims or Personal Injury Claims

Civil tort claims can arise when someone is injured due to another person's negligence or recklessness. Common types of civil tort claims include car accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog attacks, elevator/escalator accidents, medical malpractice, burn injuries, and defective products. It is important to understand your legal rights if you have been injured due to someone's negligence or recklessness.

Discrimination Claims & Harassment Lawsuits

Employment laws provide protection to employees and job applicants from discrimination, harassment, or other forms of mistreatment in the workplace. Employees who feel they have been wronged by their employer may be able to file a tort claim. This could involve discrimination based on a protected class such as race or gender, or creating a hostile work environment through harassment. Employers should be aware of these types of claims and take measures to ensure a safe, supportive workplace.

Unlawful Arrest/Detainment

Police officers have a duty to respect your constitutional rights during an arrest, detainment, and questioning. Any breach of these rights, such as police brutality, unlawful arrest, or other infringements, could result in a civil claim against the police officer if it leads to harm to the individual. It is important to be aware of your rights and to take action if they are violated in any way.

If you’re unsure whether you have a civil lawsuit on your hands, contact our attorneys to find out. We’ll discuss your individual case in detail during a no-cost legal consultation. Our firm handles a wide range of civil cases in Maryland.

How to Pursue a Civil Case in 2021?

If you believe you have grounds to file a civil case against your Baltimore employer or another party, talk with an attorney as soon as you can. Acting quickly and taking the correct steps toward justice can expedite your claim and help you avoid time-consuming mistakes. Our attorneys can walk you through every step of the claims-filing process in Maryland.

If you have any questions about the following steps, don’t hesitate to contact us. Here’s how to pursue a civil case in 2021:

If you've been involved in an incident that resulted in injury, go to the hospital right away and take care of your personal health. Delaying medical care could be used against you in a civil case, as it could show an insurance company that you weren't badly injured or give the defense the opportunity to allege that you contributed to your injuries. To ensure the success of your civil claim, it is important to fulfill the burden of proof. Gather evidence such as names, descriptions of events, and contact numbers and obtain written or recorded statements from anyone who witnessed the event. Additionally, contact the at-fault party's insurance company within 24 hours, and learn as much as you can about civil rights laws and your case. It is also important to find an experienced and committed Baltimore civil tort attorney to help you with the filing procedures. The attorney can help you file an initial complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and/or file a regular civil case. With the help of an attorney, your odds of a successful case and fair financial compensation will be maximized.

Past Case History

Freddie Gray Settlement

Likely Judge Murphy’s highest-profile case, Murphy, Falcon & Murphy defended the family of Freddie Gray. Gray, a native of Baltimore, died in April 2015 after sustaining a spinal injury while in police custody. Our firm secured a $6.4 million settlement for the family of Freddie Gray – even after the jury acquitted the police officers of guilt in Gray’s death. With the help of Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the firm pushed to prevent future violence by requesting body cameras on the city’s police officers.

Police Brutality

Our firm represented an individual who was the victim of police brutality and excessive force in New Jersey. A police officer released his K9 without justification during a routine traffic stop. The K9 attacked our client, leaving serious bite injuries on his legs. In addition, the officer placed a chokehold on our client, resulting in a massive stroke. All of this occurred in front of the victim’s wife and two children.

Murphy, Falcon & Murphy filed claims for the victim, his wife, and each of his children. The use of excessive force by the arresting officer resulted in a settled lawsuit of $4,999,999.99. The monetary value of the settlement will help ensure our client receives the proper medical treatment he will require for the rest of his life.

Paralysis Due to Police Brutality

A client’s family came to us after learning that a family member had suffered a paralyzing neck injury that left him quadriplegic while in police custody. While in a holding cell, our client incited an altercation with the officer on duty. The officer responded with excessive force, which resulted in our client’s permanent paralysis.

Murphy, Falcon & Murphy defended this client, who received a $44 million award for injuries and emotional distress caused during the event.

Call Your Trusted Baltimore Civil Rights Attorneys

Civil cases encompass discrimination and harassment lawsuits, estate planning, family law, landlord/tenant disputes, wrongful death claims, and complaints against professionals such as doctors or attorneys.

If you were a victim of police brutality, excessive force, or other methods of discrimination call Murphy, Falcon & Murphy today. We’ll discuss your case and your rights with you for free. We’ve been fighting for civil rights for decades and have the experience and resources to help you during your case.

Image 3

If your civil rights have been violated or you have suffered harm due to discriminatory practices, our experienced Baltimore civil rights lawyers are here to help. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. We are dedicated to fighting for the rights of our clients and achieving justice in every case.