If you missed our sold-out Dust Diseases conference in September 2024, then make sure you register for this webinar! Dust disease claims practice is a constantly evolving area of personal injury law, join us for a consideration of the health risks of tunnelling work and the recent increase of claims that have occurred, keep up to date on recent decisions in Australia, then explore the vexed question of capacity when the claimant is elderly and you have concerns about their capacity to provide instructions.

Presenters

Lian Chami, Partner, Bartier Perry
Lian brings over 15 years of experience in law, specialising in dust diseases work and historical liability claims. With a background in alternative dispute resolution, Lian is dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for clients. Her current practice focuses on dust-related cases, where she has been providing exemplary legal services to various clients, including NSW government clients in transport, education, public works, and health under the Treasury Managed Fund (TMF) and Comcare work on behalf of the Commonwealth Government. Lian’s clients appreciate her efficiency and practical, cost-effective approach to resolving or contesting litigations.


Dr Amanda White, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Forensic Psychologist, Neuropsychological & Forensic Services
Dr White is an endorsed Forensic Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist with extensive training and experience in the preparation of forensic psychological and neuropsychological reports. She is skilled in the comprehensive assessment of cognitive, behavioural and psychological impairments associated with complex histories, multiple comorbidities and a range of conditions, including acquired brain injury, neurodegenerative disorders, psychological and psychiatric illness, neurological conditions, intellectual disability, substance use disorders and forensic matters including risk assessment. She has extensive experience conducting assessments and reports surrounding decision making and capacity evaluations. She has appeared as an expert witness in the NSW courts and various tribunals.


Victoria Keays, Partner, Gordon Legal
Victoria is an accredited specialist in personal injury law with a particular interest in asbestos litigation. Victoria has over 10 years’ experience in representing those suffering from all forms of asbestos diseases; including mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and asbestos related pleural disease. Victoria is also passionate about achieving compensation for those afflicted by other occupational diseases, such as silicosis and occupational lung cancer. Victoria has represented clients in a number of jurisdictions around Australia and has been recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a leading lawyer in the area of Dust Diseases.


The Honorable Judge Wendy Strathdee, Dust Diseases Tribunal NSW
Her Honour Judge Strathdee was called to the Bar in 1992 conducting common law trials in the District and Supreme Courts of NSW and Queensland but predominantly in the Dust Diseases Tribunal of NSW. In 2005 her Honour was appointed as a Mediator and Contributions Assessor for the DDT. Her Honour has also been involved in training and mentoring of legal practitioners and law students in alternative dispute resolution. In 2018 her Honour was appointed to the bench as a member of the Dust Diseases Tribunal and the District Court of NSW.


Kate Cole OAM, Certified Occupational Hygienist, Cole Health
Kate Cole OAM is a multiple award-winning scientist, engineer and Certified Occupational Hygienist who has dedicated her career to the prevention of work-related disease. Her work on preventing silicosis has been informed by the completion of a Winston Churchill Fellowship and her extensive work on major construction and tunnelling projects in Australia and abroad. Kate is the past President of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists, the former co-chair of the National Silicosis Prevention Strategy Expert Steering Committee, a member of the NSW Dust Diseases Board, and sits on the Asbestos and Silica Safety Eradication Agency’s Council. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to workplace health and safety, Kate was awarded the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia and was included in the Covid-19 Honour Roll in the 2022 Australia Day Honours. Kate now works as an independent consultant while completing her PhD at the University of Sydney where she is researching respirable crystalline silica exposures to tunnel construction workers.


Annie Hoffman, Managing Partner, Turner Freeman
Annie Hoffman started her career in the law at Turner Freeman in 2003. She was admitted to practice in 2007 and has practiced almost exclusively in the area of dust diseases litigation since this time. Annie was made a Partner of Turner Freeman in 2013 and is the managing partner of their Adelaide and Perth offices. Annie has acted for plaintiffs in a number of landmark decisions in the area of dust diseases in South Australia. She acted for the plaintiff in the first fully contested matter to proceed to trial under the Dust Diseases Act 2005 (SA); Abel v Amaca Pty Limited [2010] SADC 98. Annie obtained a series of favourable judgments on behalf of her client's against BHP including BHP Billiton Ltd v Parker [2012] SASCFC 75 and BHP Billiton Limited v van Soest [2014] SASCFC 134. Annie has also successfully run "test cases" such as Amaca Pty Ltd v Latz [2018] HCA 22 (on the recoverability of pensions as recognised category of loss) and Amaca Pty Limited v Werfel [2020] SASCFC 125 (on the liability of James Hardie for "in situ" asbestos products).


Laine Ashforth-McDonald, Senior Associate, Slater & Gordon
Laine Ashforth-McDonald is a Senior Associate in Slater and Gordon’s WA Asbestos and Dust Diseases team and has a built a distinguished career focused on supporting individuals and families affected by asbestos-related diseases. Graduating from the University of Western Australia in 2006 with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Political Science Honours), Laine was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Western Australia and High Court of Australia in 2007. Her dedication to helping people exposed to asbestos – whether through occupational exposure or in the domestic setting – has seen her recognised by her peers in the Doyles Guide (2019 to 2024). Additionally, her experience extends beyond the legal profession to include past political service as member of parliament and local governance as a local councillor, showcasing her commitment to public service. Her involvement in dust disease litigation is notable for both the depth of her client care and her contributions to the legal framework surrounding asbestos related claims.


Jonathan Walsh, Partner, Maurice Blackburn
Jonathan Walsh is a Principal and the Queensland practice group leader for asbestos law and dust diseases, based in Maurice Blackburn’s Brisbane office. Jonathan is also a Law Society of NSW Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury (Dust Diseases). This additional qualification stands him head and shoulders above most other lawyers who specialise in asbestos law. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Media and Bachelor of Laws, Jonathan joined Maurice Blackburn in 2003 and was admitted to practice in 2005. From 2007 to 2011, Jonathan worked at a major Australian commercial law firm and then a major Australian financial institution as in-house counsel, before returning to Maurice Blackburn in mid-2011. He is an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury (Dust Diseases) and member of the Queensland Law Society, Australian Lawyers Alliance, State Council, Palliative Care Queensland, Lung Foundation of Australia, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, Clinical Oncology Society of Australia and the American Association for Justice.