What Is TSGLI Army?

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What is TSGLI Army?

TSGLI Army is a type of personal injury insurance available to all members of the armed services who sustain debilitating injuries, whether in the line of duty or not.  Although it’s a government program (and therefore not profit-driven), filing a claim can pose the same challenges as dealing with a private insurer. According to a study conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), even valid veterans’ claims are routinely denied. An  insurance lawyer with experience in TSGLI Army claims can be of invaluable assistance when it comes to dealing with bureaucratic snafus and other barriers to getting the compensation you have earned through your service to the nation.

What Does TSGLI Stand For?

TSGLI stand for Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance. Although commonly referred to as TSGLI Army, it is available to members of all branches of the U.S. military, including Reservists, National Guard members, and those on funeral-honors duty, or on one-day muster duty. It is actually a rider attached to the standard Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurace (SGLI), and covers severe injuries and losses that result from traumatic events.

What Does TSGLI Army Cover?

TSGLI provides coverage of up to $100,000 for any of the following:

• loss of sight, hearing or speech
• partial or total paralysis
• burns affecting at least 20 percent of the body
• amputations
• facial reconstruction
• coma
• traumatic brain injury
• loss of genitalia

Who Qualifies for TSGLI Compensation?

You are eligible for TSGLI Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard benefits if your injury or loss was:

• sustained after October 2001
• occured prior to your discharge
• included in the program

Delayed conditions such as blindness or paralysis that occur within two years of the injury are also covered. In order to receive compensation, you must be insured under the Servicemember Group Life Insurance Plan at the time of the injury unless it was sustained between October 7, 2001, and November 30, 2005 (see below). The injured serviceman or woman must have survived the injury for a minimum of seven days, or 168 hours from the time of the event.

What About Retroactive Payments?

Originally, TSGLI coverage was available only to personnel injured during deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, under the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2010, SGLI benefits were expanded to include all servicemen and women suffering traumatic injuries during the above-mentioned time period, regardless of where you were stationed.

Why Would I Need an Attorney to File a TSGLI Army Claim?

As noted earlier, many legitimate TSGLI claims are routinely denied.  The claim process can also be complicated, and like all insurers government and private, any mistake — no matter how trivial or inconsequential — can be used as an  excuse for denial. An experienced TSGLI Army attorney can assist you with:

• determining your eligibility
• filing your claim and ensuring that all necessary documents are in place
• navigating the appeal process in the event your claim is denied

Generally, these attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning their fee is based on a percentage of your recovery — so they receive payment only if they are successful.