Sailors who sustained injuries in the line of duty on or after Oct. 7, 2001, could qualify for government-sponsored insurance benefits regardless of the circumstances. The Department of Veterans Affairs said those sailors may be eligible for between $25,000 and $100,000, under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI) program, which took effect Dec. 1, 2005. Beginning Oct. 1, sailors who suffered so-called ‘qualifying injuries" in events such as training or motor vehicle accidents between Oct. 7, 2001, and Nov. 30, 2005, could be entitled to the benefit, whether or not they were serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom at the time they were hurt. The injuries need not have occurred while on active duty, or active duty for training. ‘Qualifying injuries" include amputations, limb salvage, paralysis, burns, loss of sight, hearing or speech, facial reconstruction, hospitalization for 15 days continuously, coma, and traumatic injuries to the brain or other parts of the body that result in the loss of the ability to conduct daily living activities. More information is available online at www.insurance.va.gov/sgliSite/TSGLI/TSGLI.htm.