Hodge Jones & Allen

Industrial Disease

Lorna, a Partner within the Asbestos and Industrial Disease Team has, for 25 years, specialised in asbestos disease claims for claimants. As such, she is a recognised and proven expert in this specialist area.

Lorna regularly obtains six-figure settlements for her clients. Her settlements include claims for clients who not only have received their main damages but who have also been able to access medical treatment not available on the NHS as part of the settlement agreement.

Lorna is a specialist in all asbestos disease cases including mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural thickening.

Lorna enjoys a challenging case and was successful in securing a six-figure settlement in a mesothelioma case in which she pursued numerous defendants. When Lorna took initial instructions from the mesothelioma victim, it was apparent that he had been exposed to asbestos dust when working for approximately 45 former employers. Lorna’s methodical and meticulous way of working and her ability to analyse the evidence against each former employer meant that ultimately 17 defendants were pursued, all of which contributed to the settlement sum.

In one of Lorna’s most recent cases, the client suffered from mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis case (testicular mesothelioma). This is an extremely rare type of mesothelioma which has complex medical issues. The condition is so rare that this was the first mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis case Lorna had dealt with in 25 years of handling mesothelioma claims on a daily basis. The case settled for a six-figure sum.

Lorna recently also acted for a client who developed not only mesothelioma but a separate condition of asbestos-related lung cancer, at the same time. The legal and causation requirements for each condition are very different and so Lorna had to prove breach of duty and causation for two separate asbestos conditions which developed alongside each other and then secure a quantum settlement at the right level.

In a living mesothelioma matter, Lorna concluded the case within just 4 months of receiving instructions, including the issuing of Court proceedings. The client was a single man with no dependants and Lorna was determined to get the case settled for him during his lifetime. Sadly the client died very shortly after his compensation had been paid but he was very pleased to know the case had been concluded.

In a recent fatal mesothelioma case, Lorna secured a six-figure settlement for a dependant widow. Lorna was instructed post death and the widow knew very little about the Deceased’s day to day work and how he was exposed to asbestos dust. Lorna set about identifying witnesses who could assist and she was ultimately able to secure an admission of breach of duty from the employers’ liability insurers and a settlement for the widow.

Lorna was also successful in a recent mesothelioma case which settled for a six figure sum just a few weeks before the final Court hearing.

In a pleural thickening matter, Lorna agreed a settlement of £78,000 for her client. The case was defended throughout and yet Lorna was able to secure a good settlement for the client.

Lorna’s wealth of experience covers cases for both living clients and in fatal matters, across all asbestos diseases. She also assists clients in bringing claims in America for mesothelioma caused by contaminated talcum powder and make-up products.

Lorna works closely with local asbestos support charities, most notably the London Asbestos Support Awareness Group which she was involved in establishing and continues to support and provide legal assistance to.

Lorna is a campaigner and will fight for those who are unfairly treated by the law, including the setting up of a petition which attracted television coverage. Lorna has appeared on national live television, has been quoted in The Times newspaper and other national newspapers and has been interviewed on live radio to talk about asbestos disease matters.

Lorna is known to be a calm and proactive case handler and has an enviable skill of being able to find a practical solution in a difficult or unusual situation. Her clients comment that she is down to earth, friendly and explains legal matters in a clear and reassuring way.

Lorna’s expertise is recognised by those she works with and through independent accreditation by The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), of which she is an Asbestos and Occupational Disease specialist.

Lorna trained and worked at Thompsons LLP in London and Dagenham. She has been a Partner at Hodge Jones & Allen in London since January 2020.

APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers): Accredited Asbestos and Occupational Disease Specialist.