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Overview: Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection
Under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program, eligible servicemembers are typically covered by a subunit of the program: the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSLGI). Servicemembers are automatically enrolled for SGLI and TSLGI if they are an active duty member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard.
Under TSLGI protection, eligible claimants may be able to recover between $25,000 and $100,000 in short term financial support following a traumatic injury. Traumatic injuries may include: loss of hearing, sight, and/or speech; burns; paralysis; amputation; facial reconstruction; traumatic brain injuries; comas; and more.
Individuals may qualify for benefits under TSGLI if all of the following conditions apply:
- Have a scheduled loss as a direct result of a traumatic injury;
- Suffered the traumatic injury before midnight on their last day in the military;
- Suffered a scheduled loss within 2 years of the traumatic injury;
- Have suffered for a period of more than 7 days from the traumatic injury;
- Were an active duty military member, a Reservist, a National Guard member, on funeral-honors duty, or on 1-day muster duty
Even if you are claiming an injury from the past, you may be able to receive benefits if you meet the above qualifications and were injured between Oct. 7, 2001 and Nov. 30, 2005.
Some individuals may not be able to file a TSGLI claim depending on their situation. Injuries are excluded from TSGLI coverage if any of the following apply:
- Self-inflicted or the result of an attempt at self injury;
- Involved the use of an illegal drug or unprescribed controlled substance;
- The result of a medical or surgical treatment of an illness or disease;
- Occurred while committing or attempting to commit a felony;
- The result of a physical or mental condition (not caused by wound infection; a chemical, biological, or radiological weapon; or accidentally swallowing a contaminated substance)
Eligible servicemembers may want to file a claim with the program in order to be compensated for their injuries.
Filing a Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Claims
In order to receive payouts from the program, servicemembers are required to file a claim with the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection. The application form is available online or from various service departments.
Some servicemembers may benefit from soliciting legal help from an experienced attorney. The claims process can be complicated, and a lawyer can help individuals make sure their claims are complete and supported by all of the necessary documentation. This increases the chance that a claim won’t be denied on a technicality or for administrative reasons.
Appealing a Denied TSGLI Claims
If a TSGLI claim is denied, consumers will need to undergo the appeals process. Even if servicemembers did not solicit the help of an attorney when filing their claim, they may wish to work with an attorney on the appeals process.
