When illness or injury takes away your ability to work, it can feel like your identity, stability, and future are slipping through your fingers. In those quiet moments of doubt, when uncertainty is louder than hope, it helps to know you’re not alone. That’s where TPD claim stories come in.
These real-life examples of TPD claims aren’t just about the money; they’re about people like you who faced incredible challenges and came out stronger with the right support. Whether it was a workplace injury, a chronic illness, or a psychological condition, these stories reflect courage, resilience, and the power of informed action.
At Withstand Lawyers, we’ve stood beside countless Australians during their most difficult times, helping them understand their rights, navigate complex TPD processes, and ultimately reclaim control over their lives. Below, we share some of these stories and explore what you need to know about making a TPD claim in Australia.
What Is a TPD Claim and Who Can Make One?
A Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim is an insurance claim that allows you to access a lump sum payout if you are unable to return to work due to injury or illness. Most people have TPD cover included in their superannuation policy without even realising it.
You may be eligible to make a TPD claim if:
You can no longer work in your usual occupation or any occupation suited to your education, training, or experience.
You’ve suffered a physical or psychological injury, or a serious medical condition like cancer, PTSD, or chronic illness.
You have TPD insurance through one or more superannuation funds.
Your condition is deemed permanent by a medical professional and supported by relevant evidence.
The process involves more than just paperwork. It requires detailed medical reports, clear documentation, and understanding the specific terms of your insurance policy. This is where working with experienced TPD lawyers, like those at Withstand Lawyers, can make all the difference.
Not sure if you’re eligible to make a TPD claim?
Contact our experienced TPD lawyers for a free claim assessment. We’ll review your situation, explain your entitlements, and help you understand your next steps, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence after an injury or illness.
Why Real-Life TPD Claim Stories Matter
Reading real TPD claim stories can be more than just informative. When you’re facing overwhelming circumstances, seeing others who’ve walked a similar path and come out the other side with financial security can give you a sense of direction and hope.
These examples of TPD claims reveal:
The types of injuries and illnesses that qualify
How people discovered they were eligible for a claim, even when they initially thought they weren’t
The role legal support played in turning a denied or complex case into a successful outcome
The often surprising size of the lump sum payments that changed lives
Each story is a reminder that your situation isn’t hopeless, and that you could be entitled to far more than you realise.
In the next section, we’ll dive into real examples of Australians who claimed TPD successfully and the strategies that helped them win.
Examples of TPD Claims That Led to Successful Payouts
Every TPD claim is unique, but there are common threads: injury, uncertainty, and the hope for financial stability.
Below are real examples of TPD claims handled by Withstand Lawyers, where clients received substantial payouts through their superannuation policies.
These stories highlight the value of expert legal support and how understanding your rights can lead to life-changing results.
TPD Claim Story: $300,000 Payout After Construction Injury
After falling from a roof, Tim was left with a broken hip and lasting psychological injuries. Unaware he could claim TPD benefits, Withstand Lawyers helped him secure a life-changing payout.
The Case
Tim, who is a 38-year-old, suffered a broken hip when he fell off a roof on a construction site in Sydney. He subsequently developed a serious physiological and psychological injury as a result. Tim asked one of his friends to find a workers compensation lawyer who works on a No Win No Fee basis, and he found Withstand Lawyers. In addition to providing clear legal advice in relation to Tim’s entitlements for a workers compensation claim, the team at Withstand Lawyers also informed him that he could be eligible to make a TPD claim. Tim unfortunately was not aware, like most people, of TPD and his entitlements to make a TPD claim.
Upon obtaining medical evidence as to Tim’s capacity to work, it turned out to be that Tim was no longer able to work, suited by his education, training and due to his permanent hip injury and mental condition as a result of his work injury.
The Solution
Tim’s lawyer examined his insurance policy and advised him to pursue a TPD claim. Tim agreed and his solicitor communicated with his insurer on behalf of him, collated relevant details for the TPD claim and ensured that Tim would receive the maximum TPD benefits that he is entitled to.
Withstand Lawyers successfully lodged and followed up on Tim’s TPD claim. As a result, Tim received a $300,000 TPD benefit plus income protection for his injuries which he was not aware he could claim in addition to his workers compensation claim.
TPD Claim Example: $175,000 Payout for Support Worker After Insurer Denial
Michelle, a disability support worker, was initially denied compensation. Withstand Lawyers identified her eligibility for a TPD claim and overturned the insurer’s decision.
The case
Michelle worked as a disability support worker for many years in Australia. One day she sustained a back injury at work and a separate psychological injury due to experiencing bullying and harassment in her workplace. Despite her psychological injury being separate, she continued to have 1 claim only for her back injury. The insurer unfortunately denied liability.
The solution
Michelle felt hopeless and thought that the insurers liability decision meant that she could not pursue her claim further. Fortunately, Michelle’s partner enquired with Withstand Lawyers who successfully handled his Workers compensation claim. Our TPD lawyers advised her that a denied liability claim was not the end, and that Michelle had prospects of overturning the decision. Michelle decided that she wanted Withstand Lawyers to assist her with her claim. Withstand Lawyers informed Michelle that our workers compensation lawyers were approved by the Independent Review Office (IRO) and no costs were payable by her for advice and representation regarding her workers compensation claim as legal costs are covered by a grant from IRO.
Her TPD lawyer identified that another reason that Michelle was unable to work was due to her psychological injury and not her back injury alone, based on the medical evidence.
Unfortunately, the workers compensation insurer did not allocate a separate claim to Michelle for her psychological injuries. Michelle lodged a work injury claim form for her psychological injury and upon being assessed by the Commission’s doctors, her whole person impairment was assessed at 21% for her psychological injuries.
In addition to receiving her maximum entitlements for her back injury, she was also eligible now to make a work injury damages claim for her psychological injury. In addition, her TPD lawyers successfully lodged a TPD claim through her superfund, and she received a $175,000 payment for her TPD claim.
TPD Claim Story: $375,000 Secured After Non-Work Injury
Noah was injured while skiing, not at work, and thought he had no compensation options. Withstand Lawyers found two active TPD policies and secured him a major payout.
The case
Noah, 35 is a construction worker who predominately paints walls of various buildings and is also a skiing enthusiast. On multiple occasions, whilst skiing, he experienced pain in his lower back. Like most people, he thought little of it and continued carrying out his normal life. The next day however he struggled to get out of bed due to severe lower back pain. He spoke to his doctor who after examining him advised him not to return to that type of work. Noah was understandably frustrated and concerned because his injury and pain did not occur nor was it experienced in the course of employment but rather due to skiing.
He immediately started physiotherapy but did not improve despite 6 months of passing already.
This time his GP referred him to a specialist who recommended he undergo surgery. His specialist told him that he cannot work in construction. It was unfortunate as that’s the only field Noah has qualifications and experience with. Given that he does not have any other professional skills, his professional career essentially ended at that point with injuries not compensable due to the circumstances of his injury.
The solution
Noah reached Withstand Lawyers for a free claim check to see whether there was anything he was entitled to despite his injury not being work-related. Our experienced TPD lawyers have unfortunately seen this time and time again and informed him that despite his injury not occurring in the course of employment nor due to the negligence of the skiing centre, he could be entitled to payments from his superannuation funds. Whilst confused, he was also feeling a sense of hope that there could be something out there to assist him financially.
However, Noah like a lot of tradies was unaware of which superfund he was with and whether he was with one or multiple. Noah trusted our TPD lawyers to look into which superfunds he was a member of to see whether or not those funds had been covered and if so whether he was eligible. After a short period of time, our TPD lawyers were made aware of which superfunds Noah had policies with and contacted those superfunds to request his policies to be able to advise Noah. Noah was relieved to be told that he did in fact have cover and he was eligible given his circumstances.
Our TPD lawyers then obtained all the necessary documents to support his claim being his medical and employment records. 6 months later Noah received two separate payments totalling $375,000.
TPD Story: $160,000 for Retail Assistant After Motorcycle Accident
After a motorcycle crash left Emma with lasting psychological injuries, Withstand Lawyers helped her claim TPD benefits she didn’t know existed.
The case
Our client, Emma, was an extrovert and social character who worked as a retail assistant for a decade for a large Australian supermarket chain. She enjoyed her work as it required social contact with customers and colleagues. In November 2021, she had a serious motorbike accident. The accident was her fault as she lost control and had a head-on collision. She was taken to the hospital and undertook medical treatment. Since she was at fault, our motor vehicle accident lawyers were only able to advise her of her limited income support benefits and medical expenses cover for 6 months.
However, because of the accident, she not only suffered physical injuries but suffered from psychological injury. Her physical injuries had a major impact on her ability to sustain her daily life and she was in need of emotional and psychological support.
After the accident, she started feeling depressed, anxious and socially withdrawn. From being a socially active person, since the accident became isolated from friends, and she was frequently in need of medical care for her psychiatric conditions. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been able to return to her previous occupation due to psychological and physiological conditions.
The solution
One of Emma’s friends suggested she talk to Withstand Lawyers to know her entitlements. Since she was unable to work, our team of TPD lawyers looked into Emma’s superannuation policy. It was discovered that Emma was eligible to claim TPD through her superannuation policy.
Withstand Lawyers worked on Emma’s TPD claim carefully and found the necessary education, training, medical, and work-related documents to support her claim. Within 5 months, Emma received a $160,000 lump sum payout through her superannuation insurance company.
TPD Claim Example: $300,000 Awarded to Diabetic Mother After Amputation
Lisa lost her leg due to diabetes complications. Withstand Lawyers helped her successfully claim TPD benefits during an emotionally and financially difficult time.
The case
TPD claim stories that involve serious illness are devastating, but we are delighted when we can assist our clients to reduce the financial burden caused by their illnesses. Lisa, aged 38, was a cash processor for a currency management service provider when she had her leg amputated as a result of her diabetes. Her recovery was long and she required extensive rehabilitation.
As is the case with many amputees, she subsequently developed mental illness including depression and anxiety. This mental illness combined with her physical disability made it impossible for her to return to work in any field that she was qualified, or had any experience or education.
The Solution
Fortunately, she contacted Withstand Lawyers who put her in touch with their experienced TPD lawyers. They obtained a copy of her TPD policy and reviewed and advised her in relation to her prospects of a successful TPD claim. Her TPD lawyer then thoroughly completed the application on her behalf, and submitted the required supporting documents. In light of Withstand Lawyers’ significant experience, they were able to ensure that the application and supporting evidence was to the satisfaction of the fund and the application ultimately was approved in a few short months and Lisa was awarded a $300,000 TPD payout on her eligible superannuation policy.
TPD Payout Story: $578,000 for Injured Glass Glazier
Frank, a self-employed tradesman, suffered life-altering injuries in a fall. Withstand Lawyers uncovered two TPD policies he didn’t know he had and secured a massive payout.
The Story
A significant amount of our TPD stories involve work injuries such as this one. Frank, 42, was a self employed glass glazier, who sustained physical and psychological injuries following a fall from a ladder while at work. Withstand Lawyers handled his workers compensation claim and had him assessed by an independent medical assessor to determine the extent of Frank’s injuries. It was established that Frank would not be able to return to work as a glass glazier, the only occupation he had done his entire life.
The Solution
Frank’s workers compensation lawyer referred him to our TPD lawyers to discuss his eligibility to make a TPD claim. Frank had TPD cover in both of his superannuation policies, but didn’t know about them until his TPD lawyer reviewed his policy and advised him that he would be entitled to a lump sum TPD payout through both of his superannuation policies. Commonly, our client’s do not know that they even have TPD cover, and are surprised that they are covered and eligible.
Frank successfully pursued a lump sum TPD payout and obtained a total of $578,000 TPD payout on his two superannuation policies.
If you’re like Frank and have suffered injury or illness and are unable to work, Withstand Lawyers TPD lawyers are here to help you. We will ensure that you understand what your benefits are (or aren’t) and what is required through your fund to make a successful TPD claim. Contact our senior lawyers who offer a clear No Win No Fee arrangement.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Reading through these TPD claim stories, you’ve likely noticed that each journey is unique, but they all share one thing in common: the strength to seek what’s deserved. The process can feel daunting, especially when you’re already facing life-altering challenges like PTSD, serious injuries, or chronic illnesses.
But you don’t have to go through it alone. At Withstand Lawyers, we’re not just here to help with the paperwork. We’re here to listen, support, and guide you through every stage of your TPD claim. We’ve seen firsthand how life-changing the right outcome can be, and we’re ready to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
If you’re ready to explore your options or just want to have a conversation, reach out to us today. The first step is often the hardest, but we’ll be with you every step of the way.
Issa Rabaya
• Bachelor of Laws
• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
• Approved Legal Service Provider to the Independent Review Office
• Member of the Law Society
Issa Rabaya
• Bachelor of Laws
• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
• Approved Legal Service Provider to the Independent Review Office
• Member of the Law Society
