David D. Ward

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David D. Ward: Attorney with Cranfill Sumner LLP
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

David D. Ward began his litigation career in 1975 and developed valuable trial experience as an Assistant District Attorney in Wake County while honing his trial skills prosecuting criminal cases. After four years in criminal court, David transferred his law practice to civil court, and for more than 25 years his practice has been exclusively devoted to the defense of medical malpractice actions.

David comes from a medical family. His father is a general surgeon and both his brother and uncle are internists. David represents physicians, nurses, large teaching hospitals, small community hospitals, outpatient surgical facilities and other healthcare providers. David handles cases in both federal and state courts.

David was elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He also maintains an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell, a peer review rating which recognizes attorneys who have reached high levels of skill and integrity. He has been listed in the publications “The Best Lawyers in America ” and “North Carolina Super Lawyers ” multiple times in the areas of medical malpractice law and personal injury litigation.

David Ward retired from private practice in May of 2019.

Articles, Presentations, and Publications

•David is a frequent speaker at physician and hospital group meetings including medical society meetings on various medical malpractice issues.

Accomplishments

•NC Super Lawyers (2007-2019)
•Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
•Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in the field of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants (2006-2020); Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2018, 2020)
•Named Best Lawyers Medical Malpractice Law-Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” for Raleigh (2016)
•Selected for inclusion in the 2014 Super Lawyers Business Edition
•Trained as Emergency Medical Technician

Most Recent Posts

News

31 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2020

Thirty-one attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2020(Copyright 2019 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC)....

News

21 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2019 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

Today Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) proudly announced that 21 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2019 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2019 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....

News

32 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2019

Thirty-two attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2019 (Copyright 2018 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC)....

News

20 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2018 N.C. Super Lawyers and Rising Star Lists

Today Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) proudly announced that 20 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2018 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2018 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....

News

Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” Recognition

Three attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently named the Best Lawyers 2018 “Lawyer of the Year” for their respective practice areas in their local metropolitan area. (Copyright 2017 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC)...

News

33 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2018

Thirty-three attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018 (Copyright 2017 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC). Eight attorneys were selected for inclusion in the list for the first time....

News

17 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2017 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List

Today Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) proudly announced that 17 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2017 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2017 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....

News

26 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2017

Twenty-six attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2017 (Copyright 2016 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC)....

Result

David Ward & Ginger Hunsucker Successfully Obtained Dismissal in Hospital Suit

David Ward and Ginger Hunsucker successfully obtained dismissal in a suit involving a hospital where the case was re-filed after...

Result

David Ward & Ginger Hunsucker Successfully Obtained Verdicts in Favor of Emergency Department Healthcare Providers

David Ward and Ginger Hunsucker successfully defended two Emergency Department physicians and an Emergency Department physician assistant in a multi-week...

News

17 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2016 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH) is proud to announce that 16 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2016 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2016 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....

News

Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Receive Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” Recognition

Two attorneys from the Raleigh office of Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were recently named the Best Lawyers 2016 “Lawyer of the Year” for their respective practice areas in the Raleigh metropolitan area. (Copyright 2015 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC) Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” is presented annually to one attorney in each practice area in each market....

News

28 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2016

Twenty-eight attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2016....

News

20 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2015 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

Cranfill Sumner announced that 20 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2015 North Carolina Super Lawyers and North Carolina Rising Stars lists....

News

Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2014 Super Lawyers Business Edition

Cranfill Sumner is proud to announced that nine of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2014 Super Lawyers Business Edition....

News

24 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2015

Twenty-four attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America....

News

21 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Named to 2014 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List

Cranfill Sumner announced that 21 of its attorneys are selected for inclusion in the 2014 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2014 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....

News

25 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2014

Cranfill Sumner is proud to announce that 25 of its attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America ....

News

24 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected as 2013 North Carolina Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

Ten Cranfill Sumner attorneys were selected as 2013 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 14 Cranfill Sumner attorneys were selected as 2013 North Carolina Rising Stars....

News

23 Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013 Edition

Twenty-three lawyers from Cranfill Sumner were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013...

Result

Ward and Shere Defend Trauma Surgeon

Ward and Shere received a defense verdict on behalf of a trauma surgeon. ...

Result

Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Successfully Defend Tertiary Care Center

Ward and Hilkey-Boyatt were granted summary judgment on behalf of a tertiary care center in a case where the plaintiff had alleged he was discharged from the hospital with acute appendicitis. ...

News

Cranfill Sumner Lands 17 Attorneys in the Best Lawyers in America 2012 Edition

Cranfill Sumner, one of the largest civil defense firms in North Carolina, announced today that 17 of its attorneys selected The Best Lawyers in America....

Result

Ward Secures Dismissal for Hospital Affiliated Entities

Ward and Hunsucker were able to get two cases dismissed on behalf of hospital affiliated entities where they were improper parties to the case. ...

Result

Ward Successfully Defends Wake County Internist

David Ward won a defense verdict for an Internist....

Result

Ward Receives Defense Verdict on Behalf of Surgeon

Ward received a defense verdict on behalf of a surgeon facing a claim that he negligently managed plaintiff’s post-operative care....

Result

Ward and Shere Defend Emergency Physician and PA

David Ward and Pankaj K. Shere received a defense verdict on behalf of a North Carolina emergency physician and physician’s assistant. ...

Result

Hung Jury for Defense in Claim against Surgeon

Ward and Hinnant defended a North Carolina surgeon. The trial resulted in hung jury, 8 to 3 for the defense. ...

See more ›

Areas of Practice (1)

  • Medical Malpractice

Education & Credentials

Mailing Address:
PO Box 27808, Raleigh, NC 27607
University Attended:
Wake Forest University, B.A., 1972
Law School Attended:
Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D., 1975
Year of First Admission:
1975
Admission:
1975, North Carolina; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina; U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina; U.S. Supreme Court
Memberships:

Community Involvement

•American Board of Trial Advocates, Member
•DRI, Member
•NCBA, Member
•Wake County Bar Association, Member
•NCADA, Member
•Christ Episcopal Church, Member
•Wake Forest Parents Council, Member
•Kanuga Conference Center Board of Visitors, Member
•Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer
•Wake Relief, Volunteer

Reported Cases:
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS: Cases or matters referenced do not represent the lawyer's entire record. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicated upon a lawyer's or a law firm's past results.; David has obtained numerous defense verdicts in medical malpractice cases including: Defense Verdict - successfully defended two Emergency Department Physicians and an Emergency Department Physician Assistant in a multi-week Medical Malpractice trial in Eastern North Carolina. Plaintiff's claims involved allegations regarding failure to diagnose acute chest syndrome, failure to interpret radiological film and failure in the development of policies, all of which the Plaintiff alleged led to the death of her husband.; Defense Verdict - for an obstetrician in a case involving alleged delay in delivery resulting in child born with significant injuries, including a severe cerebral palsy. Damages claimed exceeded $25 million; Defense verdict for an emergency department physician and physician's assistant who were alleged by plaintiff's attorney and plaintiff's experts to have failed to diagnose an obstructed bowel resulting in multiple surgeries and injuries.; Defense verdict for a trauma surgeon who was alleged by plaintiff's attorneys and experts to have failed to properly diagnose and treat a bleeding spleen causing the death of a 55 year old patient.; Defense verdict for a physician's assistant and emergency medicine physician for allegedly failing to diagnose a small bowel obstruction.; Defense verdict for an OB/GYN in a shoulder dystocia case.; Defense verdict for an oncologist who was alleged by plaintiff's attorney and plaintiff's experts to have misdiagnosed and caused the death of a 35 year-old male.; Defense verdict for an OB/GYN who was alleged by plaintiff's attorney and plaintiff's experts to have caused the death of a 52 year-old female.; Defense verdict for an emergency medicine physician who was alleged by plaintiff's attorney and plaintiff's experts to have caused the death of a 42 year-old male.; Defense verdict for an emergency medicine physician who was alleged by plaintiff's attorney and plaintiff's experts to have caused the death of a 44 year-old female.; Defense verdict for an orthopaedic surgeon who was alleged to be negligent by plaintiff's attorneys and plaintiff's experts which caused nerve damage during hip surgery.; Defense verdict for a neurologist who was alleged to have misdiagnosed a neurological condition causing plaintiff permanent injuries.; Defense verdict for a general surgeon in a case wherein it was alleged he negligently repaired a paraesophageal hernia.; Defense verdict for an internist who allegedly failed to diagnose cardiovascular disease in a 44 year-old patient.
ISLN:
902961751

Payment Information

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Peer Reviews

5.0/5.0 (1 review)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    5.0/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    5.0/5.0

  • Judgment

    5.0/5.0

  • Communication

    5.0/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    5.0/5.0
Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Contact David D. Ward

Contact Information:

919-863-3428  Fax

www.cshlaw.com

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