Lorna Webster

Partner

Asbestos & Mesothelioma Compensation Lawyers

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About Lorna Webster

Lorna is a solicitor who has spent over 20 years securing compensation for victims and families affected by asbestos related diseases. She is passionate about the work she does and feels that anyone who has developed an asbestos related condition should have someone on their side to fight their corner.

Lorna started her career at Thompsons Solicitors as a legal secretary but quickly progressed to being a case handler. She started to specialise in handling asbestos cases in 1999. Lorna took the decision to gain her legal qualifications and attended university evening classes whilst working full time and she qualified as a solicitor in April 2006. The determination and dedication Lorna had to qualify as a solicitor is the same determination and dedication she has to get the very best outcome for her clients in the compensation claims she pursues for them.

Lorna worked at Thompsons Solicitors for 28 years and joined Hodge Jones & Allen in January 2020. She can never see herself doing anything other than securing justice and compensation for the victims and families affected by asbestos related conditions – that is where her heart is and she obtains job satisfaction from knowing she has made a real difference to her clients by assisting them. Lorna feels privileged to do the legal work she does.

Lorna pursues claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural thickening. Those claims are often against the former employers of her clients (including when the former employers are no longer trading) and she has also pursued claims for women who have developed mesothelioma as a result of washing their husband’s work clothes. Lorna has acted for clients who carried out a wide variety of work including carpenters, plumbers, laggers, electricians, dock workers, office workers, firefighters, power station workers, train drivers and factory workers.

Lorna’s successful cases have been known to feature in national and local press and she has appeared live on the BBC to talk about asbestos matters. Lorna has written asbestos related articles for various Trade Union journals over many years.

Her experience is a key part of her practice. She's seen it all and is keen to stay up to date. She knows how to prepare a case too." - Chambers UK, 2024

"Lorna Webster is a very experienced solicitor who runs a hard-working team. She is very good with clients." - Legal 500, 2024

“Lorna Webster is friendly and supportive. She could not have made my claim any easier.” “She is capable and knowledgeable.” – Chambers UK, 2023

“Lorna Webster is a very experienced practitioner in asbestos work – an area in which she has practiced for many years and her depth of knowledge reflects that experience.” Legal 500, 2022

Lorna’s experience in dealing with asbestos cases for so long means she knows what evidence is required to win a claim and she will give her clients clear and early advice. She is compassionate and sensitive in all dealings with her clients and is very approachable. Being given an asbestos related diagnosis is devastating for clients and Lorna strives to take the worry of pursuing a compensation claim away from her clients.

Many employers are still not complying with their legal duties to manage asbestos in the workplace and that means some people working today are still being exposed to asbestos. In addition to pursuing compensation claims, Lorna tries to raise awareness about this, to prevent future generations from having to receive an asbestos related diagnosis.

Over the years Lorna has worked with local support groups, most recently with LASAG (London Asbestos Support Awareness Group). The services offered by asbestos support groups are invaluable and Lorna is keen for people affected by asbestos diseases to know they are not alone in what they are going through.

Notable Cases

Lorna acted for a lady who had developed mesothelioma as a result of washing her husband’s work clothes. The husband of Lorna’s client had worked at a power station many years ago and unknowingly brought home asbestos dust on his clothing. Lorna’s client washed the work clothes by hand and many years later she unfortunately developed mesothelioma. The case was successful against the husband’s former employers. In addition to the significant compensation the client received, the full costs of private immunotherapy treatment were recovered.

Lorna acted for a client who developed asbestosis as a result of his previous work with asbestos. He had a significant respiratory disability of which two thirds was due to the asbestosis condition. The case was settled on a provisional damages basis for £80,000. The provisional damages settlement means Lorna’s client received compensation for the asbestosis condition he had but he also retained the protection of being able to bring a further claim in the future should he ever develop a more serious asbestos related condition.

Lorna was instructed to act for a client who had pursued a claim many years ago for a relatively minor asbestos related condition. The settlement in that earlier claim allowed for a further claim to be pursued if the client developed other specified asbestos related conditions. Unfortunately, the client later went on to develop mesothelioma and so Lorna re-activated the original claim in order to secure compensation for her client in excess of £170,000.

Lorna was instructed by the widow of a man who had died from mesothelioma. He developed that condition as a result of carrying out work on board ships during the 1960s. The claim was ignored by the former employers until Court proceedings were commenced against them. In addition to the compensation recovered for the widow, Lorna was also able to secure a payment for the hospice that cared for the deceased during the last few weeks of his life.

Lorna was instructed in a fatal mesothelioma matter. There was little evidence available about how the deceased was exposed to asbestos but Lorna was able to identify and obtain evidence from former colleagues of the deceased. The case settled for almost £300,000.

Lorna was instructed to act on behalf of a man suffering from mesothelioma. She pursued ten of her client’s former employers and the case was successfully settled for over £140,000.

Lorna settled a mesothelioma claim for a man who was exposed to asbestos for just two weeks as a 16 year old. The case settled days before the final Court hearing for in excess of £300,000.

Lorna recovered over £370,000 for a man who developed mesothelioma although he had never directly worked with asbestos materials himself. After investigation it became clear that Lorna’s client was exposed to asbestos as a result of colleagues around him disturbing asbestos lagging when he was in the immediate area.

Lorna has pursued a number of claims under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme. This Scheme makes payment if someone has developed mesothelioma and they would have won their compensation claim had the former employers or their insurers been available to pursue. Where there is no one to pay any compensation in what would have been an otherwise successful claim, the claim is re-directed to the Scheme for payment.

Client Comments

“The level of personal care, professionalism and desire to get the very best result was exceptional. They dealt with everything supporting us every step of the way. They genuinely care about their clients and their welfare.”

“I would like to thank you for all your hard work that you have put into this claim. I know there have been obstacles and it has not been easy, however, you have left no stone unturned and continued to fight this case despite the difficulties. I cannot thank you enough as this was my husband’s wish to fight this case to help me in the future. As he said “ someone should pay for this”. I would certainly recommend you and your company to fight any claims relating to Mesothelioma. Your service has been first class and handled with such professionalism.” J.C.

“Lorna made a difficult situation very easy. Her help and understanding saved us a lot of stress. Her advice and commitment was exemplary. She explained things that were easy to understand and she was always available when needed. We feel she is excellent in her job. And very caring, B.T.

“Dealing with Lorna Webster and her team has been first class, she has just concluded the case surrounding the death of my father due to mesothelioma. I cannot thank Lorna enough, brilliant work by Lorna.”

“Lorna Webster provided us (Executors) with an exception, professional, personal and diligent service throughout the course of this matter. Her advice and guidance was clear, concise and accurate throughout and helped us achieve an entirely satisfactory outcome.”

“After my Husband’s diagnosis I was given a list of solicitors. For no reason I went for the firm in the middle of the list. I can honestly say it was a good choice. Lorna has been extremely helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. After the initial telephone appointment to discuss the case (due to covid) Lorna has dealt with every issue smoothly and efficiently always keeping us informed of progress. I cannot fault the service we have received.”

"I must thank Lorna for her help and guiding someone who is not great at computers and the internet through the process of fighting a claim. A young lady that knows what she is doing and how to help people."

“I found Lorna extremely helpful and caring. Explaining any questions I had, and following up immediately. Her help and guidance were extremely helpful at this traumatic time.”

“Hodge Jones & Allen have just brought to a successful conclusion a claim made against my late fathers employers for asbestos exposure despite the company he worked for no longer trading. The team at HJA tracked down insurers from many years ago keeping us informed as the case progressed. Very efficient service, I can’t thank them enough, would recommend HJA to anybody finding themselves in similar circumstances to ours.”

“Dealing with Lorna Webster and her team has been first class, she has just concluded the case surrounding the death of my father due to mesothelioma. I cannot thank Lorna enough, brilliant work by Lorna.”