Year of call: 1988
Fiona Ashworth has a nationwide reputation acting in cases involving Chronic Pain Syndromes, Complex Regional Pain Syndromes, Chronic Fatigue Syndromes, Somatoform Pain Disorders, Somatic Symptom Disorders, Bodily Distress Disorders, Conversion Disorders, Functional Neurological Disorders and Fibromyalgia. She is considered to be a leading expert on pain and functional disorders.
These conditions are often little understood and extremely challenging. Fiona has built up a deep knowledge and understanding of these 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 2015 and has been invited as a speaker in 2024 and was a speaker at the British Pain Society’s 50th Annual Conference.
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 has sat as a Recorder since 2009.
FND after a minor soft tissue injury £450,000
Case where girl developed FND symptoms after RTA which were diagnosed later £416k
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
Case where C developed FND after being struck by a parasol on holiday. She developed FND which was resistant to Treatment £650,000
Above knee amputation of a 67 year old man – £2,000,000
FND case after a slipping incident £300,000
Allergic reaction to a steroid administered by a GP leading to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome £1.2m
Soft tissue injuries in a RTA leading to FND. £1.2m
Massive head injuries in RTA leading to an exacerbation of pre existing learning difficulties and FND £5.8m (approved)
Multi sited orthopaedic, traumatic brain, vascular and psychiatric injuries. £2.25m + PD’s
Minor rear end shunt in RTA that led to FND and no useful function in the right dominant arm. £1,066,000
T12 fracture sustained in RTA. She developed CPS, FND and PTSD. £2,500,000
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.
Catastrophic brain injury leading to cognitive difficulties, disinhibition, confusion, perseveration, impulsiveness and fatigue. £1,050,000 approved.
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
Minor Lisfranc fracture that developed into CRPS £1,500,000
Claim against solicitor who settled a Fibromyalgia case before obtaining rheumatological evidence £330,000
Chambers UK 2023
“Fiona is highly experienced in her niche specialism of chronic pain cases.”
‘Fiona is very thorough and detailed, she knows the papers inside out and is very efficient and reliable.’
Chambers UK 2022
“Very able and hard-working – she is a very good advocate.” “She has developed a real niche in chronic pain cases and is a genuine expert in the field.”
Legal 500 2022
“Fiona’s standout strength in relation to chronic pain work is unrivalled knowledge of the area, from both a legal and medical understanding demonstrated. In relation to catastrophic injury I have found her tactics and negotiating strategies to deliver excellent results on each occasion. Her ability to discuss complex causation issues with clients who are often emotional is also a huge benefit.”
Chambers UK 2021
“An excellent advocate with an unrivalled knowledge of chronic pain cases. She is very practical, a team player and a strong negotiator.” “She is incredibly hard-working and always quick to respond.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Fiona has unrivalled knowledge and experience when it comes to chronic pain cases, and couples this with client care skills, working collaboratively with her instructing Solicitors and dealing with claimants with a compassionate but firm hand, instilling trust and confidence. She is a ferocious negotiator, and I would always want her to be in my corner going into a JSM.”
“A fount of knowledge on chronic pain and related cases, with outstanding attention to detail.”
Legal 500, 2020
“Particularly recommended for chronic regional pain cases.”
“An expert in chronic pain cases.”
Chambers UK 2020
“Her strengths lie in being able to get up to speed on any case very quickly while still understanding very complex issues properly and fully.” “She really understands chronic pain work and gives very clear and straightforward advice.” “She is supportive, friendly, and her knowledge in the niche area of chronic pain litigation is second to none.”
Chambers UK 2019
“Her knowledge and understanding of chronic pain issues is unequalled and this, coupled with her technical skills, gives her clients the upper hand in a difficult area of personal injury.” “I cannot praise her preparation enough; it is meticulous.”
Legal 500 2019
“A fighter in court.”
Chambers UK 2018
“A national leader for cases concerning fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions, in which she principally represents claimants. She also represents defendant clients in RTA claims.”
Legal 500, 2018
“Very knowledgeable on cases involving chronic pain.”
Chambers UK 2017
“The doyenne of chronic pain cases, she knows that subject inside-out.” “She’s very authoritative; she has a detailed grasp of the issues and articulates them well.” “She is thorough, analytical and generally very good.”
The Legal 500, 2017
“She is robust yet fair and quickly gets to the heart of the issue.”
Chambers UK 2016
“She has an extremely thorough and authoritative approach, whilst retaining a compassionate rapport with clients.”
“She is very strong technically, good on her feet in front of a judge and very good with clients. She has the right degree of gravitas and familiarity.”
