Evidence of support for asbestos disease research

Turner Freeman Lawyers

A generous donation from Turner Freeman law firm acknowledges their unique relationship with Emeritus Professor Doug Henderson AO and continues the legacy of his extraordinary life’s work to support the victims of asbestos-related diseases.

For over 25 years Professor Doug Henderson gave evidence in most of the significant asbestos compensation trials in Australia. Such was his expertise in asbestos-related disease that in every case the party who had called him to give evidence was successful.

In the early 1990s Turner Freeman was the first law firm to engage Professor Henderson in a mesothelioma case, where diagnosis was raised as an issue for conjecture.

Sydney-based Turner Freeman Managing Partner, Armando Gardiman AM specialises in asbestos litigation and acts for clients suffering from mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestos related lung cancers. With the evidence provided by Professor Henderson, he has run more successful mesothelioma cases than any other lawyer in Australia.

Associate Professor Sonja Klebe with Annie Hoffman from Turner Freeman Lawyers

“I can still recall seeing his first report. I had never seen an expert report that was as detailed, as complex, and as thoroughly sourced as his report,” says Armando, a founding member of the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia.

“Working with Professor Henderson enabled us to bring some justice to victims of asbestos-related illnesses in Australia.”

In 2018, Emeritus Professor Doug Henderson AO died at the age of 76. In his Will he left a bequest to support lung cancer and mesothelioma research at Flinders University – continuing the legacy of his incredible life’s work of asbestos-related disease research.

At Flinders University, the Professor Doug Henderson AO Research Fund supports the work of Associate Professor Sonja Klebe (PhD(Med) ’01) whose clinical trial of localised therapy for mesothelioma is the first of its kind in the world. With a special focus on lung disorders, Associate Professor Klebe worked with Professor Henderson for 18 years.

Through a $10,000 donation from Turner Freeman, Associate Professor Klebe’s research has now gained a further boost to advance this important research, which aims to improve and prolong the lives of those who suffer from mesothelioma.

Annie Hoffman, a Partner at Turner Freeman based in Adelaide says, “Turner Freeman had a very special relationship with Professor Henderson. His expert opinions assisted thousands of asbestos victims and their families, and his work on the pathogenesis of mesothelioma has helped to shape the law in Australia for the benefit of sufferers.

“It was a privilege to have known and worked with Professor Henderson, and we are honoured to support his legacy through this donation.”

Flinders University acknowledges the generous philanthropic support of Turner Freeman to the Professor Doug Henderson AO Research Fund, which will extend the research into asbestos-related disease by funding new opportunities for higher degree researchers.

You can support those who suffer from asbestos-related disease by donating to the Professor Doug Henderson AO Research Fund. 100% of your donation will assist research into asbestos-related diseases.

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