Total and permanent disability, or TPD, is a disability insurance claim you can make if you are injured and unable to work. The claim is made when you can no longer work and will need regular income to cover any medical expenses and pay your bills. It can be a tricky benefit to apply for, especially when you aren’t sure if you can apply for it or not.
A TPD lawyer can help guide you through the process and help you with the TPD application form. The form must be sent to your insurer, who will assess the claim and determine if the benefit can be awarded. Keep reading to learn about the application process in greater detail and see some of the most common TPD claims in Brisbane.
Who can make a TPD insurance claim?
You must be totally and permanently disabled to make a TPD claim. This includes being unable to work due to your illness or injury, with a disability expected to remain for the rest of your life.
There are two types of TPD claims that you can make: an occupational and a non-occupational claim.
Occupational claims are made if your injury happened at work or was caused by your job, and has left you unable to work. Non-occupational claims are made for injuries not caused at work or by your job, but have left you disabled and unable to work. You might also be able to claim on your insurance or superannuation funds for your injury if you have one of the following conditions:
- Chronic illnesses - that prevent you from working, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer
- Mental health conditions - that stop you from working, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Physical injuries - that prevent you from working, including brain injuries, back injuries, and neck injuries
- Pregnancy - if your pregnancy prevents you from working
- Death - you might receive benefits as the spouse or a child of someone who died from their injuries
A TPD lawyer can help determine if you should claim for TPD and guide you through the process, helping you to complete your application and provide any support you might need.
Do I need a lawyer to claim TPD?
While a lawyer is not essential, we think you should hire a lawyer when making a TPD claim. Experienced TPD lawyers have a deep understanding of how TPD claims work and can ensure your paperwork is completed correctly. They understand the information required for a successful TPD claim and what information your insurance provider is looking for, reducing the chances of your claim being rejected.
A TPD lawyer can also help to reduce any stress you might feel while claiming TPD, allowing you to focus on your health instead of worrying about your finances.
How to claim for TPD
How to claim for TPD varies depending on the insurance provider, but typically, it follows five steps. Your lawyer can also help you to understand this process and will explain each step to you and how it relates to your specific case. Below are the general steps a TPD claim follows:
- Notify your insurer of the intention to make a TPD claim. This is typically over the phone or in writing
- Receive your TPD forms from your insurance provider
- Complete the forms with your lawyer, providing enough information to generate a successful claim
- Your insurer assesses your claim, using medical reports and speaking to your employer to guarantee the information is correct
- The insurer will make its decision, and if approved, pay you a lump sum. You have the opportunity to appeal if the claim is rejected
5 common TPD claims
While every TPD claim is different, there are five common claims that are made in Brisbane, including cancer, heart disease, and mental illness. Check out these common claims below to help you better understand what is required for a TPD claim to be successful.
- Cancer - accounts for over 33% of all TPD claims. Cancer causes a range of disabilities, preventing you from working, including difficulty moving, fatigue, and pain
- Heart disease - accounts for 15% of all TPD claims. Depending on the severity of your heart disease, you might struggle with chest pain, shortness of breath or fatigue, making it difficult to work
- Mental illness - accounts for 10% of claims, with anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating or performing daily tasks leaving you unable to work
- Accidents - whether they happen at work or not can leave you unable to work, with amputations, paralysis, or brain injuries being common claims
- Musculoskeletal disorders - make up around 8% of all TPD claims, with pain and stiffness making it tricky for claimants to work
Find your TPD lawyer in Brisbane today
For a greater chance of success when filing your TPD claim, we recommend that you work with a TPD lawyer. Lawyers like those at Smith’s Lawyers can help you with your claim, using their years of experience and deep understanding of TPD claims to reduce the chance of yours being rejected. Contact these Brisbane based TPD lawyers to see how they could help you today.
