If you’re suffering from a repetitive strain injury (RSI) such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, or tendinitis, you may be eligible to claim on your TPD insurance or income protection insurance. These injuries can cause long-term or permanent impairment, affecting your ability to continue working in your usual job, or in any job at all.
This blog explains how TPD and IP claims work for RSI injuries, what conditions are eligible, and how to strengthen your claim for a better outcome.
What is a repetitive strain injury (RSI)?
Repetitive strain injuries are a group of conditions caused by repetitive movements, sustained force, or awkward postures over time. They can affect muscles, tendons, and nerves.
RSIs are common in both manual and office-based jobs. Notably, however, to claim TPD or income protection benefits, your injury does not have to be work-related.
Common RSIs include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: Nerve compression in the wrist causing pain, tingling, and weakness in the hand.
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis): Inflammation of tendons in the forearm due to repetitive use, often affecting tradies, cleaners, and office workers.
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of a tendon, commonly in the wrist, shoulder (rotator cuff), or elbow, due to overuse.
- De Quervain Syndrome: a condition which occurs when the 2 tendons that control the thumb constrict and limit thumb movement.
These conditions often develop gradually and can result in chronic pain, loss of strength, or permanent inability to perform regular work duties, making them serious enough to support a TPD or income protection claim, depending on the work you do.
Can I claim TPD for an RSI?
Yes. If your RSI prevents you from returning to work permanently, you may be able to make a TPD claim through your superannuation fund.
Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance is commonly included in your super and can also be held separately. It provides a lump-sum payment if your doctors certify you as being unable to return to your usual job, or any other job, based on your education, training, and experience (definitions vary between policies).
Key points when making a TPD claim for RSI
- TPD claims are not limited to work-related injuries.
- You can qualify for a TPD payout even if the RSI developed outside of your workplace (e.g., from home-based tasks or hobbies).
- Your claim will depend on your medical condition, prognosis (as certified by your doctors), and whether you meet the insurer’s specific definition of “total and permanent disability.”
Can I claim income protection for RSI?
Yes. If your repetitive strain injury temporarily prevents you from working, you may be entitled to income protection insurance through your super or a standalone policy.
For conditions like carpal tunnel or tendinitis, if the injury prevents you from typing, lifting, or performing essential tasks at work, you may qualify for an income protection benefit for the period of time from being unable to work through to getting treatment and rehabilitation, even if surgery or recovery is possible in the long term. This is a key difference between income protection and TPD benefits, because TPD requires a permanent work incapacity.
Benefits available with an income protection claim
- Usually pays up to 75% or 85% of your pre-disability income (subject to any applicable caps on the cover) while you're unable to work.
- Typically requires that you be unable to work for a waiting period (e.g. 30, 60, or 90 days).
- Benefits are paid for a set period (e.g. 2 years or to age 60 or 65), depending on your policy.
You can learn more about IP benefits in our earlier blog, “How much will my monthly income protection benefit be?”
How can I strengthen my TPD or income protection claim due to an RSI?
Making a successful TPD or income protection claim for an RSI can be challenging, as insurers often scrutinise these conditions due to their gradual onset and variability on recovery with treatment. Here’s how to improve your chances.
Obtain strong medical evidence
- Get specialist reports from your GP, physiotherapist, or surgeon.
- Include test results (e.g. nerve conduction studies for carpal tunnel).
Document your work limitations
- Keep a record of tasks you can no longer do.
- Ask your employer or an occupational therapist for a capacity assessment.
Show treatment compliance
- Demonstrate you’ve followed all medical advice, such as splints, physiotherapy, ergonomic adjustments, or surgery.
Get legal support early
- Sometimes changing or reducing your work hours to accommodate your RSI can impact on your TPD or income protection claim if you need to make the claim later.
- Speak to a TPD claims lawyer or a superannuation claims specialist to help with your application and deal with insurers before making any changes to your work duties or hours.
Work-related vs non-work-related RSI: what’s covered?
A common misconception is that TPD and income protection benefits only apply to work-related injuries. This is usually not the case.
You can still lodge a successful TPD claim for carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, tendinitis or other repetitive straining injuries, even if your condition was caused by:
- home-based tasks;
- playing musical instruments;
- recreational sports;
- long-term personal computer use.
Unlike workers' compensation, which requires a clear link to your employment, superannuation-based TPD and income protection insurance focus on your ability to work, not the cause of the injury.
Final thoughts: take action early
If you’re dealing with chronic pain or reduced function due to a repetitive strain injury, don’t wait until things get worse. You may be entitled to significant financial support under your TPD or income protection policy. In some circumstances, where you have insurance with more than one super fund, you may also be able to make multiple claims.
Need help with an RSI TPD or income protection claim?
These claims can be complex, especially for gradual-onset injuries like RSI. But with the right evidence and expert guidance, many Australians have successfully claimed repetitive strain injury compensation through their super.
Don’t delay in seeking advice. We offer free initial advice and run claims on a “no win, no fee” basis, so it costs you nothing to find out where you stand.
Contacting Berrill & Watson
📞 Melbourne: 03 9448 8048
📞 Brisbane: 07 3013 4300
📞 Anywhere else in Australia: 03 9448 8048
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