recover partial backup data from a (potentially damaged) Time Machine disk
The best thing to do, to avoid major data loss, is to:


copy personal files and folders from the TM disk image (they do not have symlinks, so no problem whatsoever). Obviously choose the latest backup.
from the TM disk image write down on a piece of paper an entire list of all the apps in the Application folder and reinstall them from scratch (depending on what the app is, it might not be self-contained, therefore it might include some symlinks and/or preferences)


Even if you can successfully restore from the TM, you must reinstall from scratch utilities like


Garageband/Logic additional instruments (if you have installed some)
Java
Adobe Flash Player/Shockwave Player
Microsoft Silverlight
XCode Command Line Tools