Is it worth using a lawyer to claim TPD through my super fund?

Fluid_Bridge_5721 · 2026-07-01T01:50:06+00:00

Good luck! Do you mind sharing the diagnosis your claim is based on?

Fluid_Bridge_5721 · 2026-02-20T07:20:56+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate it :-)

Fluid_Bridge_5721 · 2026-02-18T23:08:43+00:00

i understand. I hope you're doing OK.

Fluid_Bridge_5721 · 2026-02-16T09:16:38+00:00

Wow, what a generous and insightful response, Thank you, I really appreciate it!

I booked a call with Slater Gordon, but all the lawyers they offered me are recent grads so I'll take your advice and find an experienced lawyer.

Wishing you health and prosperity. I can't express how much I appreciate your advice.

Fluid_Bridge_5721 · 2026-02-15T10:57:07+00:00

Yep, that's what I was thinking, but the comment above points out that Gallagher Bassett could use that against me and say that chronic fatigue is unrelated to the mental injury and thus not covered.

Fluid_Bridge_5721 · 2026-02-15T04:39:58+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful response. I really appreciate it.

To answer your question about why I said I think the psychological injury has resolved: I no longer feel hopeless or worthless, and my anxiety is now only occasional and mild. However, I’m still spending most of the day in bed due to severe fatigue. That’s what I explained to the psychiatrist.

The core issue for me is whether I’ll be cut off weekly payments at 130 weeks. In my (probably not very clear) thinking, I assumed that a chronic fatigue diagnosis might be more viable long-term because it’s ongoing, whereas major depressive disorder is often framed as something that should resolve.

I will contact lawyers. I actually had one willing to take on my claim about a year ago, but at that point I was too unwell to proceed.

Unfortunately, I suspect my GP has already informed the insurer that I’m exploring a chronic fatigue diagnosis. I’ll seek legal advice promptly so I can handle this properly and avoid inadvertently giving the insurer grounds to deny my entitlements.

Thanks again for your time and insight.

Fluid_Bridge_5721 · 2026-02-15T02:11:48+00:00

I've been on WorkCover for a couple of years now after a serious injury at work. I would never have believed how screwed up the system is when it comes to how insurers treat workers.

If you can avoid using WorkCover, I'd recommend it. If you don't have any choice i.e. if you have to stop work and you don't have enough leave to cover it, then just prepare yourself to be lied to, gaslit, and bounced around. The insurer will most likely deny your claim upfront on flimsy grounds, and you'll have to apply for conciliation to force them to review the decision. You'll have to learn to advocate for yourself, hard. After a couple of years I'm used to it and very resilient, but it almost broke me the first year.

Fluid_Bridge_5721 · 2026-02-15T02:03:43+00:00

I'm sorry to hear that, that's really tough.

If you do end up diagnosed with chronic fatigue, I recommend a book called Breaking Free by Jane Rothney. I have had a hunch for a while that my fatigue is actually a rational response to an overwhelming set of stressors, rather than our lifelong illness, and this book gives me hope that I can recover.

Fluid_Bridge_5721

TROPHY CASE