The most common TPD claims encompass a wide range of medical conditions and injuries that can leave you unable to work. Without legal guidance, it can be difficult to know whether you are entitled to a TPD lump sum payment. Our lawyers can help.
TPD Compensation Lawyers have extensive experience helping people throughout Australia lodge claims for Total and Permanent Disability. We are well-versed in many different injuries and illnesses, including those at the centre of the most common TPD claims.
For a FREE consultation, call TPD Compensation Lawyers at 03 9966 7188 today. Our lawyers handle TPD claims on a No Win No Fee basis, so you pay nothing unless your claim is successful.
The 10 Most Common TPD Claims in Australia
Whether you become ill or suffer serious injuries in an accident, a number of scenarios can impact your ability to earn a living. If an injury or illness makes it so you can’t work and it is determined that you will not be able to return to work, you may be entitled to TPD compensation.
In our experience, Total and Permanent Disability has many potential causes. Some of the most common reasons clients have for claiming TPD include:
1. Cancer
Cancer Australia estimates that approximately 2 in 5 Australians will be diagnosed with cancer before they reach the age of 85. The most common types of cancer reported in Australia are:
- Prostate cancer
- Breast cancer
- Melanoma (a type of skin cancer)
- Colorectal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Kidney cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Uterine cancer
The severity of cancer depends on the type and how early it is detected. Advanced or terminal cancer often makes it impossible to work or live independently. In either case, you may have a claim for TPD.
2. Mental Health Issues
Joint research by the Financial Services Council and KPMG Australia found that mental health complaints account for nearly one-quarter of TPD claims. The most common mental health conditions cited in claims for TPD include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depressive episodes and chronic depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Addiction
Obtaining a lump sum TPD payout for a mental health issue can be challenging. Insurers typically scrutinise these applications due to both the high volume of claims and how Total and Permanent Disability is assessed. Strong medical evidence is needed for your claim to be approved.
3. Musculoskeletal Disorders
Conditions affecting the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are known as musculoskeletal disorders. According to the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, 1 in 3 people suffer from some type of musculoskeletal complaint.
Examples of musculoskeletal disorders that may give rise to a TPD claim include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Disc injuries
- Osteoarthritis
- Bone fractures
- Tendonitis
- Osteoporosis
- Fibromyalgia
Musculoskeletal conditions are among the most common TPD claims after those involving mental health. To claim TPD, it must be established that the disorder totally and permanently prevents you from working.
4. Heart Attack or Stroke
People who suffer a heart attack are often faced with significant restrictions on physical activity. If these restrictions are permanent and make it impossible for you to return to your job, you may have a claim for TPD cover.
Exertion may also be discouraged after a stroke. In addition, strokes can lead to paralysis, loss of mobility, and other complications that can permanently bar you from work.
5. Injuries from Accidents
Road accidents, falls, and accidents in the workplace are among the most common causes of accidental injury. These and other incidents can cause everything from cuts and bruises to serious trauma affecting the brain, spine, and more.
Total and Permanent Disability compensation may be available if the injuries you sustain in an accident have forced you to stop working. In addition to the TPD waiting period (usually 3–6 months), you may need to wait for your injuries to be deemed stable before being evaluated for TPD. This can take a year or more.
6. Loss of Vision or Hearing
Sight and sound are critical to the vast majority of occupations. If your ability to see or hear has significantly declined due to an injury or illness, you may have a viable TPD claim.
It is important to note that vision or hearing loss does not necessarily have to be complete for you to be eligible for TPD. Compensation is paid when occupational incapacity is total and permanent. Depending on your profession, this may occur with partial loss of vision or hearing.
7. Neurological Disorders
Disorders of the nervous system can be debilitating. All areas of life may be impacted, including the ability to make a living.
Examples of neurological disorders that may entitle you to a TPD benefit include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Epilepsy and seizure disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Muscular dystrophy
- Chronic headaches and migraines
8. Autoimmune Diseases
People with autoimmune disorders suffer inflammation due to the body’s immune system attacking itself. Symptoms may be confined to a single organ or bodily system, or the body as a whole may be affected.
Autoimmune diseases that can result in disability include:
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Scleroderma
- Graves’ disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Coeliac disease
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Ankylosing spondylitis
9. Respiratory Illnesses
Diseases of the lungs and airways can make even simple tasks difficult to perform without having to catch your breath. If any of the following conditions make it so you can’t work, you may have a TPD claim:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Emphysema
- Asbestos-related conditions (mesothelioma and asbestosis)
- Occupational lung diseases
- Cystic fibrosis
10. Loss of a Limb
Removal of a limb may be necessary due to complications from diabetes, cancer, infections such as septicaemia, and other serious medical issues. Limbs may also be lost as a result of an accident, whether due to traumatic amputation or removal by doctors due to severe damage.
The loss of a limb can make it impossible for you to do your current job or any other occupation for which you are suited. If this is the case, you should consider lodging a TPD claim.
Get Help with Your TPD Claim
Ultimately, any illness or injury that causes you to lose the ability to work may entitle you to Total and Permanent Disability compensation. TPD Compensation Lawyers have extensive experience with all the most common TPD claims.