If you are unable to work because of Parkinsons Disease you may be able to make a TPD claim for a lump sum from the Total & Permanent Disablement insurance contained within your superannuation fund. There is no necessity for you to have been involved in an accident or to have suffered a work related injury to make a TPD claim. If you suffer from total and permanent disability, you may be able to make a TPD claim in addition to receiving your super early as a result of your condition. Our Parkinsons disease TPD solicitors can advise you in detail as to the requirements of a successful submission, they will prepare all relevant paperwork and will obtain full supporting documentation. Our TPD lawyers will give you advice on the likely success of your claim to a super fund, without further obligation. It costs nothing to use our advice service.

Our TPD claim solicitors use a risk free no win no fee arrangement.

We have offices situated in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Darwin.

Parkinsons - TPD

Parkinson’s disease is a disease of the nervous system. It is a progressive disorder that affects the way the body moves. It begins with a slight tremor in one or both hands. The tremor is described as a pill rolling tremor because of the way the tremor looks at rest. Another finding common in Parkinson’s disease is that of frozen movements or a slowing of the way a person moves. It can affect facial expressions and walking. Speech becomes slurred or difficult to understand.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be subtle in the beginning stages of the disease. The symptoms usually affect one side of the body more than the other. The main symptoms include a tremor of the hands or face, slow motion of the body so that you cannot initiate movements very well. You can have stiff or rigid muscles in any part of the body. It can limit the range of motion of the body in some cases. There are problems with balance and posture. You may have a stooped posture and a shuffling gait. Even automatic movements like blinking and smiling can become impaired. You can speak more rapidly or more softly than you had before the disease struck. You can repeat words or hesitate in your speech. As the disease progresses, you can develop Parkinsonian dementia, which can result in confusion and loss of memory.

Risk factors for Parkinson’s disease include genetic factors. There have been genetic mutations found that contribute to getting Parkinson’s disease. Environmental triggers, including toxins or viruses may relate to getting Parkinson’s disease.

There are brain changes noted with Parkinson’s disease, such as low dopamine levels in the brain, low norepinephrine levels and the presence of protein clumps called Lewy bodies found in the brains of those with Parkinson’s disease. No one knows how the Lewy bodies get into the brains of these individuals.

Other risk factors for Parkinson’s disease include age as it affects people of older age primarily. It is also somewhat hereditary with a 4-6 percent increased risk of getting the disease if you have a first degree relative with Parkinson’s disease. Men are more likely to succumb to the disease when compared to women. Those who have had significant exposure to pesticides and herbicides have an increased risk of getting Parkinson’s disease.

There are no specific tests for Parkinson’s disease and it can be difficult to diagnose in its earliest stages. There are drugs whose side effects can mimic Parkinson’s disease, especially antipsychotics. Head trauma and toxins can look like Parkinson’s disease. A complete history and physical examination can show the presence of the disease. Doctors will ask about medications and exposures and will do a complete neurological examination. You need at least two cardinal symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including muscle rigidity, tremor and slowing of motion in order to diagnose the disease and there is often onset on one side of the body. Tremor is seen more obviously at rest and medications for Parkinson’s disease can help the symptoms.

While there isn’t any cure for Parkinson’s disease, medications do manage many of its symptoms. The primary medications used are those that increase the dopamine in the system. Sinemet and L-dopa/carbidopa are used to replace lost dopamine in the brain. L-dopa or levodopa is always taken with another medication to prevent the medication from affecting the body so that it only affects the brain. There are also dopamine agonists that mimic dopamine in the brain. These include Mirapex and Requip. There are also injectable forms of dopamine agonists that work quickly to resolve symptoms. Side effects of dopamine agonists include hallucinations, water retention, sleepiness and low blood pressure upon standing. Impulsive behaviour can be enhanced with these medications.

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