Fiona Ashworth

Practice Areas

Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence and Professional Negligence

Career

For over 20 years, Fiona has developed a specialism in cases involving Chronic Pain Syndromes, Complex Regional Pain Syndromes, Chronic Fatigue Syndromes, Somatoform Pain Disorders, Somatic Symptom Disorders, Conversion Disorders, Functional Neurological Disorders and Fibromyalgia. She is considered to be a leading expert in the field.

These conditions are often little understood and extremely challenging. Fiona has built up a deep knowledge and understanding of these chronic pain cases, working with medical experts of all different specialisms over the years. She has been involved in hundreds of such cases, both at first instance and on appeal, acting for both Claimant and Defendant.

Fiona has lectured extensively over the country, has organised numerous Pain Seminars and has contributed published articles on the topic. She was a delegate at the Pain Summit at Westminster. She was a speaker at the medico legal forum at Peterhouse College Cambridge on Fibromyalgia in 2015 and on FND in 2024. Fiona was guest speaker at the British Pain Society's 50th Annual Conference in 2017. She addressed the Grange conference for psychologists and psychiatrists in 2018 and BABICM in 2024.

She also has wide experience in personal injury related professional negligence cases.

Fiona is the patron of Burning Nights CRPS charity and works alongside the founder Victoria Abbot Fleming in raising awareness of CRPS.

Fiona was appointed as a Recorder in 2009.

Professional Memberships

PIBA

Publications

Publications: “Soft Tissue Injuries and Their Consequences” - PI Brief Update Law Journal

“Pedestrians Beware” - PI Brief Update Law Journal

“Recognising chronic pain” - Solicitors Journal

“Loss of earnings in fibromyalgia claims” – Fibromyalgia Magazine

“Fibromyalgia and the Legal System” - Fibromyalgia Magazine

Work Highlights

Raja (2024).

FND after a minor soft tissue injury £450,000

Re McK

Case where girl developed FND symptoms after RTA which were diagnosed later £416k

Boiko 2024

C developed SSD after being struck by a falling tool. He developed unusual functional symtptoms of sweating and great thirst referable to the accident £250,000

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Re S(2024)

Case where C developed FND after being struck by a parasol on holiday. She developed FND which was resistant to Treatment £650,000

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Re Wallbank (2024)

Above knee amputation of a 67 year old man – £2,000,000

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Hunt v Eltham Line Ltd (2024)

FND case after a slipping incident £300,000

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Butler v Hayward (2022)

Allergic reaction to a steroid administered by a GP leading to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome £1.2m

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RE Johnson (2022)

Soft tissue injuries in a RTA leading to FND. £1.2m

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AB v DS (2022)

Massive head injuries in RTA leading to an exacerbation of pre existing learning difficulties and FND £5.8m (approved)

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PK v NFU (2023)

Multi sited orthopaedic, traumatic brain, vascular and psychiatric injuries. £2.25m + PD’s

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Tan v Hussain (2023)

Minor rear end shunt in RTA that led to FND and no useful function in the right dominant arm. £1,066,000

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O v R (2020)

T12 fracture sustained in RTA. She developed CPS, FND and PTSD. £2,500,000

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Todd v Newcastle Theatre (2021)

Initial soft tissue injuries to arm progressed to CRPS and FND and she lost the use of her arm and subsequently leg and back pains. £2,264,884.

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KXY v T (2021)

Catastrophic brain injury leading to cognitive difficulties, disinhibition, confusion, perseveration, impulsiveness and fatigue. £1,050,000 approved.

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W v MoD (2017)

C suffered spinal injuries in RTA when not wearing a seatbelt. She was subsequently operated on negligently resulting in significant disability. £3,582,987.50

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Dabell v DES (2017)

Minor Lisfranc fracture that developed into CRPS £1,500,000

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Hartley v SR (2018)

Claim against solicitor who settled a Fibromyalgia case before obtaining rheumatological evidence £330,000

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MacDonald v Surya Hotels (£4 million settlement for sufferer of CRPS which developed after a sprained ankle)

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T.J. Williams v Town and City Pub Group Limited Lawtel 2015 (£430,328 neuropathic pain)

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Large v Norfolk CC Lawtel 2012 (£2.3m Fibromyalgia)

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Edwards v Salford Primary Healthcare Trust Lawtel 2012 (CRPS £1,000,000),

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Beard v Skanska Lawtel 2012 (CPS £345,000)

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Casey v Ali [2012] EWCA Civ 1502 (RTA Court of Appeal)

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Ellen Baker V Caroline Sumner (2010) Lawtel (Fibromyalgia, Total Damages £120,247)

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Rahima Siddique V Bvba Rimotrans (2010) Lawtel (Fibromyalgia, Total Damages £350,000)

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Chapman v Moulton [2011] Lawtel, (Fibromyalgia, Total Damages £595,000)

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Jennifer Kolodziejcak V (1) Escolme (2) The Livesy Group [2007] Lawtel, (Fibromyalgia, Total Damages £137,500)

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Bennett v Smith (2003) LTL 11/3/2003 (At first instance and on appeal before Smith J Andrew) (Fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndromes)

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Jennings v Forestry Commission [2008] EWCA Civ 581 (Accidents; assumption of responsibility; Contract of employment/for services; work equipment Court of Appeal)

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Thorpe v Weightman [2000] CLY 416 (QBD) (local authority liability; road traffic obstructions)

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White v Eon (Court of Appeal) November 2008 (Limitation)

Industry Sector Expertise

Chronic pain and associated conditions