Case studies

Craig Morgan

Craig worked in the IT industry for 25 years.

After becoming unwell, he suffered greatly from the strains of financial pressure.

With help from Maurice Blackburn, Craig discovered that he was able to claim a substantial amount of money that would ease his financial burdens.

Craig said that without the firm's legal advice, he would have had no idea about the extent of his superannuation and insurance rights.

Watch Craig tell his story on You Tube.

Retired couple

A couple in their 70s went into one of Australia's big four banks to do some regular banking.

They were advised that they should take their life savings out of their bank account and put it into an investment product offered by one of the bank's subsidiaries. They were told that their retirement nest egg would be safe and that they would have access to it.

When their health failed and they needed to withdraw funds to pay for medical expenses, they were told they could not access their money for 15 years, until 2023. They then fought for more than two years to gain access to their money.

By the time they were given access, their life savings had been cut in half due to fees, commissions and exposure to the sharemarket. It was alleged that the bank in question had failed to properly assess the couple's personal and financial circumstances and did not explain the terms of product. Maurice Blackburn reached a confidential settlement with the bank and the couple were compensated.

All up, the couple faced significant financial stress at a time when they should have been enjoying their retirement.

Read the Herald Sun story.

Neil Brew

Neil Brew was a warehouse operator with 30 years experience who was referred to Maurice Blackburn by his union for help with a range of legal issues.

Neil had tried returning to work about 15 times during the mid-2000s but eventually his health deteriorated so much he had to retire.

Maurice Blackburn acted for Neil on a 'no win, no charge' basis and won a superannuation total and permanent disability (TPD) claim. Neil was also able to access his super account balance which meant that he got a big lump sum payout.

"I always found the service from Maurice Blackburn to be very professional," Neil said.

"Throughout my drawn-out case I was always treated with courtesy, empathy and respect.

"Even now, well after the case has ended, I can still get in touch with Norm McMurray in the super department for a 'shoulder'. Viva la Maurice Blackburn."

Anne

Anne has multiple sclerosis and lodged a claim for a total and permanent disability (TPD) with her work super fund by herself back in 2002, just after she was diagnosed.

Anne was told the claim was rejected and she asked for a review. She never received written confirmation of the rejection or the review, and the complaint went nowhere and the file was closed by the super fund.

In 2006 Anne went to the MS Society and they asked her about her work history and super. When she told them about the above, they insisted that she speak to John Berrill at Maurice Blackburn.

Anne did and Maurice Blackburn got the claim moving again. We got some medical reports and made a complaint to the super fund.

We won the claim and Anne was paid a big six figure lump sum. They also made a claim for penalty interest and as a result she was paid an extra $39,000.

"When I heard the super fund had agreed to the claim, I was over the moon," Anne said.

"I have been able to create a future for my young daughter.

"Maurice Blackburn always kept me up-to-date with everything as the claim was happening and I would recommend the firm to family members and people who needed legal help."

Craig Reynolds

It pays to check the fine print of your superannuation policy.

Craig Reynolds was a truck driver but could no longer drive after rupturing his Achilles tendon in a work accident.

With his income gone, Craig couldn't pay his mortgage and he considered declaring bankruptcy.

Craig had employment super but he thought it was locked up until retirement age.

Maurice Blackburn told him he might be able to get some of it to pay down his mortgage and he also had $30,000 disability insurance cover.

We made the claim for him and got the money in time to pay his mortgage.

"Maurice Blackburn saved the house and my car," Craig said.

"I was referred to them by the union and the solicitor was really terrific: she went hammer and tongs.

"I would recommend them to anyone."

Mark

Maurice Blackburn has the expertise to help you so you don't need to fight the system alone.

Mark was diagnosed with a rare brain disease which affected his mental state and memory.

His superannuation policy included insurance which Mark thought he could get through a claim for total and permanent disability (TPD).

But his super fund and its insurer played hard ball and rejected his claim. Mark was at a loss and hit the phones before he was referred to Maurice Blackburn, where he met Michael Bates from the firm's insurance and superannuation department.

Maurice Blackburn took over the claim, got some medical reports and lodged a complaint with the fund. We won the claim and got Mark $120,000 plus almost $20,000 in penalty interest for the delay in accepting the claim.

Mark's advice to others is simple: "don't give up. If your claim is rejected or if you are being mucked around, call Maurice Blackburn.

"They were excellent, helpful and supportive, and my advice to other people is don't take 'no' for an answer."

"If people become more aware and confident that strong and supportive legal assistance existed like that given to me by Maurice Blackburn, I am sure that many more people would get what they are entitled to."