Can I claim TPD for a back injury?

Short answer

Potentially, yes. A back injury can support a TPD claim if your condition causes long-term loss of capacity under your policy definition. The key issue is usually functional impact over time, not imaging results alone.

What insurers and trustees commonly examine

• Diagnosis and severity (for example disc injury, nerve involvement, failed surgery syndrome, chronic pain patterns).
• How symptoms limit sitting, standing, lifting, repetitive movement, concentration, and attendance reliability.
• Treatment trajectory, including specialist care, rehabilitation, medication response, and durable prognosis.
• Whether you remain suited to work aligned with your education, training, and experience.

Evidence that usually strengthens a back injury TPD claim

• Specialist reports that clearly connect medical findings to practical work restrictions.
• Consistent GP, physio, and pain-clinic records over time.
• Functional assessments that explain tolerance limits and failed return-to-work attempts.
• Accurate role-demand evidence from your actual pre-injury employment.

Common pitfalls

• Assuming MRI findings alone prove TPD.
• Medical letters that diagnose a condition but do not explain work incapacity.
• Inconsistent statements across forms, treating records, and employer material.
• Underestimating policy wording differences between “own occupation” and “any occupation” tests.

Related guides

Physical injury TPD claims · Any occupation vs own occupation TPD · Evidence required for a TPD claim

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