Ashtons Legal enhances Medical Negligence presence in Norwich

Ashtons Legal has recently relocated part of its top tier Medical Negligence team to Norwich. This is in recognition that this is a legal area where local people can benefit from more immediate representation rather than looking to large national firms for assistance.

Currently in Norwich, there are fewer than five individual solicitors who specialise solely in medical negligence matters. By enhancing their presence, Ashtons Legal will be more accessible to those living in the area who have suffered as a result of inadequate medical care.

The team is being led by Ben Ward, a Senior Associate within the firm who was born and raised in Norwich. Ben has many links with the city – he is the former Honorary Secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Medico-Legal Society and the former  Treasurer for the Norfolk and Norwich Law Society. He has helped develop strong ties with the UEA medical law team and gives an annual lecture to the medical law students there. He has previously won LawNet’s ‘Young Lawyer of the Year’ award and is described in the Legal 500 as a ‘gifted analyst’ and a ‘rising star’.

Ben specialises in representing anyone who has been catastrophically injured as a result of medical negligence. His range of work is hugely diverse with cases varying from individuals who have become paraplegic as a result of a spinal injury, to those who have undergone an amputation, to those who have suffered with a birth injury. Ben is accredited by the Law Society as a Medical Negligence Specialist, meaning he and his colleagues have a franchise which allows them to act for children injured at birth under legal aid.

Ashton Legal’s Medical Negligence team have obtained in excess of £8 million of compensation for their Norfolk based clients over the last three years. By enhancing their presence in Norwich, the team are hoping to increase that number in the future and help many more individuals and families who have suffered as a result of medical negligence.

Ben Ward said: “It is important that anyone who suffers injury as result of medical negligence receives appropriate and specialist legal representation at a time where they might well be going through a devastating and life-changing event. At Ashtons Legal, we pride ourselves on putting the client at the centre of everything we do to ensure we get the best outcome for them in the most effective way. Clearly we cannot physically put the injured person back into the position that they would have been in but for their injury. However, we can strive to ensure, in cases where damages are payable, that the individual’s future is as secure as possible by ensuring they receive appropriate compensation to meet their future needs.”

Edward O’Rourke, CEO of Ashtons Legal said: “Ashtons has always been committed to providing legal advice to those who have been catastrophically injured alongside the other individual and commercial services we offer. I am delighted the opportunity has arisen for Ben and his team to expand into Norwich, and in doing so I hope that Ashtons can continue to help those who need it the most. Medical negligence can happen to any of us at any time, and it is therefore crucial that no matter where you live, you are able to access the specialised legal advice you require.”