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Marshall DenneheyShare Holder
Joan Orsini Ford
Pro

Joan Orsini Ford

4.9
1 review

620 Freedom Business Center, Suite 300, King Of Prussia, PA 19406

Health Care Liability, Birth & Catastrophic Injury Litigation, Long-Term Care Liability and 1 more

About Joan Orsini Ford

Joan focuses her practice exclusively on medical malpractice litigation involving the defense of hospitals, doctors, nurses, physicians' assistants, nursing homes, long-term care facilities and behavioral health treatment facilities. She also handles other healthcare-related issues. Throughout her career, Joan has handled in excess of 1000 medical malpractice cases, including numerous high-exposure cases involving catastrophic injuries and death in infants and adults. She has taken more than 50 major jury cases to verdict in state and federal courts with overwhelmingly favorable results.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from LaSalle University in 1984, Joan attended Widener University where she earned her juris doctor in 1986. At Widener, she participated in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Her legal education also included courses at Notre Dame School of Law in London, England, and The Dickenson Law School in Florence, Italy. Prior to joining Marshall Dennehey in 1997, Joan worked for a defense firm for nine years where she also concentrated on medical malpractice defense, primarily representing physicians.

Joan has lectured for various organizations over the course of her career, and has given presentations to nursing and medical staff at multiple hospitals on litigation related issues. In addition, she has served as an instructor in the firm's annual Advanced Trial Advocacy Mock Trial Program.

In 2021, Joan received the James P. Fox Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from the Montgomery Bar Association Trial Lawyers Section. The award recognizes not only exceptional skill as a civil litigation and trial lawyer, but also a dedication to promoting a positive image for attorneys through one’s professional demeanor, service and integrity.

Honors & awards

AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell

2021 James P. Fox Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, Montgomery Bar Association Trial Lawyers Section

Year joined

1997

Results

Plaintiff’s claims barred by statute of limitations and immunity provisions of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Procedures Act.

Behavioral Health Risk & Liability
Health Care Liability
February 9, 2021

The defense prevailed on preliminary objections in Philadelphia County as the court found that the case involved a medical malpractice action involving the plaintiff’s allegations of an alleged assault by three patients while the plaintiff was a patient at a behavioral health hospital. In the complaint, the plaintiff pleaded ordinary negligence.

Thought Leadership

Joan Orsini Ford Receives the 2021 James P. Fox Trial Lawyer of the Year Award From the Montgomery Bar Association

Health Care Liability
December 21, 2021
Joan Orsini Ford, shareholder in the Health Care Department in the King of Prussia office of Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, has been named the recipient of the 2

CORONAVIRUS AND THE LAW: A Legal Guide for the Healthcare Industry

Health Care Liability
Long-Term Care Liability
Workers' Compensation
Behavioral Health Risk & Liability
March 31, 2020
In late 2019, news of a new virus began to emerge from China The material in this newsletter has been prepared for our readers by Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin.

Classes/Seminars Taught

Piercing the Corporate Veil, Montgomery County Bar Association, April 29, 2025

Civility in Practice, Montgomery County Bar Association, February 26, 2025

Medical/Legal Issues in Dealing with Behavioral Health Population, Cassatt webinar series, June 27, 2024 and February 29, 2024

You Want How Much? The Rising Tide in Case Values, Settlement Demands and Verdicts, Marshall Dennehey Trends in Health Care and Health Law Seminar, May 9, 2024

Civility Matters: Ethical Concerns in the Courtroom, Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, March 6, 2023

Opioid Toxicity and Reversal: Attorney Perspective on Hospital Liability & Patient's Rights, American College of Medical Toxicology Seminar, December 11, 2017

Opioids in Civil Proceedings: Perspectives from the Defense, American College of Medical Toxicology Seminar, December 11, 2017

Trial Negotiation and Business Skills for Women Trial Attorneys , Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, April 11, 2001

Treatment and Consent for Minors , Insurance Society of Philadelphia, February 21, 2001

Medical Treatment to Minors , Lehigh Valley Risk Management Society, March 1, 2000

 

Joan Orsini Ford (King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania) View website

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Joan Orsini Ford got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for Joan Orsini Ford

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Overall Rating
4.9
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4.9
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Services

Areas of Law

  • Other 4
    • Health Care Liability
    • Birth & Catastrophic Injury Litigation
    • Long-Term Care Liability
    • Behavioral Health Risk & Liability

Practice Details

  • Firm Information
    Position
    Shareholder
    Firm Name
    Marshall Dennehey
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Significant Representative Matters: Defended a hospital in a case involving an alleged failure to diagnose
    treat a brainstem stroke. Plaintiff was a 56-year-old man
    was locked in as a result of the stroke. In addition to issues involving the medical care, plaintiffs were pursuing a corporate liability claim against the hospital. Plaintiff's claim for past
    future medical bills
    future wage loss was in excess of 17 million dollars. After a four week trial, the jury found in favor of the defense.
    Defended two obstetricians in a case involving an alleged delay in the performance of a c-section resulting in severe brain damage to the infant. Future medical specials
    wage loss were in excess of 145 million dollars. After a four week trial, the jury found in favor of the defendants.
    Successfully defended a hospital in a wrongful death case. The plaintiff, a 50-year-old man, presented to the ER where he was diagnosed as suffering from a stroke. He received tPA
    was transferred to the ICU. Plaintiff alleged there was a failure to monitor, diagnose
    treat swelling in the brain
    a midline shift that led to the plaintiff's death, three days later. Plaintiff's wage loss claim was in excess of five million dollars.
    Defended an Institute
    two psychologists in a case involving the wrongful death of a child adopted from Russia. Plaintiff alleged in the civil suit that the child sustained massive head injuries
    died as a result of alleged abuse by the parents, codefendants in the civil case,
    that the psychologists were negligent in failing to suspect the abuse
    neglect which ultimately led to his death. The death of the child resulted in significant media exposure
    Russia's suspension of adoptions to the United States. The parents were charged with the child's murder
    convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Defendants settled for a confidential amount
    the verdict against the parents was in excess of 14.7 million dollars.
    Defended a hospital in a case involving the care
    treatment rendered to a patient who, after his discharge, murdered his wife
    was then murdered by his son. The story was featured in an ESPN special
    Philadelphia Magazine. The case was settled with no payment by the hospital.
    Entered as trial counsel for a defendant psychiatrist on the second day of trial, with no prior involvement in the case. The claim involved a murder/suicide by a man who was the patient of the psychiatrist. When trial counsel for the defendant psychiatrist became ill in court, the defense moved for a mistrial. The judge denied the request
    ordered that another attorney from the firm assume the doctor's representation. After a five day trial, the case went to verdict
    the jury found in favor of the defendant.
    Published Works: Long-Term Health Care Dealt Another Blow, Defense Digest, Vol. 23, No. 4, December 2017
    Nurses: Their Exp
    ing Role as Expert Witnesses, AgentsofAmerica.org, January 3, 2013
    Update on E-Discovery
    the Electronic Medical Record, Defense Digest, Vol. 18, No. 4, December 2012
    How to Avoid EMR Legal Pitfalls, The Family Practice News, September 14, 2012
    Nurses: Their Exp
    ing Role as Expert Witnesses, Defense Digest, Vol. 17, No. 1, March 2011

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1987, Pennsylvania
    1988, U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
    Memberships

    Associations & memberships

    American Board of Trial Advocates, 2013 to Present
    Montgomery Bar Association, 1987 to present
    Montgomery Bar Association - Board of Directors, 2017
    Montgomery Bar Association - Bench Bar Committee, 2013 to present
    Montgomery county Bar Association - Judiciary Committee Co-Chair, 2021 to present
    Montgomery Bar Association - Trial Lawyers Section, 2013 to present
    Montgomery County Inns of Court - Past President, 2012-2014, Vice President 2011, Treasurer 2010, Secretary 2009
    Pennsylvania Bar Association

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, Delaware
    Class of 1986
    J.D.
    Other Education
    LaSalle University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    Class of 1984
    B.A.

Contact Joan Orsini Ford

Share Holder at Marshall Dennehey
4.9
1 review

620 Freedom Business Center, Suite 300King Of Prussia, PA 19406U.S.A.

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Fax: (610) 354-8299

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    Joan Orsini Ford was admitted in 1987 to the State of Pennsylvania.
  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    Joan Orsini Ford is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Joan Orsini Ford has a 4.9 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    Marshall Dennehey was established in 1962.

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