Kevin Monastra has over 20 years of experience in insurance defense, representing insured and self-insured entities in complex, multi-party litigation in federal and state courts. He is licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Kevin represents corporations, businesses, and individuals in construction defects, construction site accidents, professional liability, general liability, premises liability, and automobile and trucking accidents. He has successfully defended construction companies, contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, and equipment manufacturers and operators in cases involving equipment failures, structural defects, falls from heights, electrocutions, machinery accidents, and construction and design defect claims.
Kevin’s expertise also includes defending property management companies, retail stores, hotels, restaurants, and various private entities in all types of premises liability matters. He has significant experience litigating slip and fall accidents, trip and fall accidents, and civil assault claims. He has tried dozens of cases to verdict in these areas, as well as numerous AAA commercial and construction arbitrations.
Kevin also serves as a Judge Pro Tempore settlement master and arbitrator with the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.
Areas of Practice
Education
- Temple University, Beasley School of Law (J.D.)
- Pennsylvania State University (B.A.)
Bar & Court Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court, District Court of New Jersey
- Secured a defense finding in an arbitration where the plaintiff claimed the client caused a lane-change collision and attempted to link multiple injuries, including a subsequent fall and surgery, to the accident without medical support. The defense focused on exposing inconsistencies in the plaintiff’s account and demonstrating that his injuries were unrelated to the crash.
- Prevailed in a binding arbitration which resulted in a defense finding for an apartment complex. The arbitrator found both parties to be negligent, with the plaintiff’s negligence exceeding that of the defendant, resulting in a verdict for the client. Kevin proved that the plaintiff was aware of icy conditions and chose to proceed without sufficient caution. At the time of his fall, plaintiff was distracted by his phone and attempting to locate his ride to work.
- Terry Harris v. Broad Dollar World, LLC, Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas (December 2023): Secured a defense verdict after a four-day jury trial for a convenience store owner accused of negligence for an alleged walkway defect. The plaintiff claimed the height differential between a drain grate and surrounding walkway violated ASTM and ADA standards, leading to her fall and a fractured patella requiring two surgeries, with an additional future knee replacement alleged. Despite a $2,000,000 demand, the jury deliberated for under an hour following lunch, concluding the store owner was not negligent.
- Kathleen Crawford v. Hankin Group, LLC, Chester County Court of Common Pleas (June 2023): Obtained a defense verdict for an apartment complex owner after a five-day jury trial. The plaintiff alleged negligence for failing to identify a hazard at a walkway step, asserting a railing or warning signage was necessary. Her fall resulted in a fractured tibia and fibula, a lumbar discectomy, and knee replacement, with a settlement demand of $900,000. After deliberating for less than an hour, the jury returned a defense verdict.
- “Avoid the Trap: Evaluating Policy‑Limits Demands and Maximizing Risk Transfer Opportunities” The Harmonie Group, May 2026 (Chicago, IL)
- “Navigating the Maze of Bad Faith Claims in Property Damage Cases” PAMIC, April 2024 (Lancaster, PA)
Motion to Transfer Venue Granted in Philadelphia Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuit
Venue Transfer Granted in Philadelphia Premises Liability Action Against Country Club
Arbitration Victory in Philadelphia County Rear-End Motor Vehicle Case – Limited Tort Election Upheld
Summary Judgment Secured in Philadelphia Slip and Fall Case
Negligence Claim Against Pedestrian Dismissed with Prejudice
Philadelphia Arbitration Panel Rules for Defense in Two-Car Collision
Pennsylvania Slip & Fall Matter, Defense Verdict in a Binding Arbitration
6 Margolis Edelstein Attorneys Present at PAMIC’s 2024 Claims Summit
Kevin Monastra Secures Defense Verdict for Apartment Complex Owner in Suburban Philadelphia
Monastra Gets Defense Verdict After 4 Day Jury Trial in Philadelphia County