Compare Criminal Injury Claims
Being the victim of a violent crime can be traumatic, and it’s important that you receive the compensation you deserve to help you recover from the incident and move on with your life. To help you secure the money owed to you, use our website to compare criminal injury solicitors today.
What is the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority?
The organisation that provides compensation to victims of violent crimes is the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). An agency of the Ministry of Justice, it pays out more than £130 million each year in these cases. It awards money under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, which sets the criteria that claims can be made under and determines the amounts paid out in compensation. The size of the awards made reflect the seriousness of the physical injuries suffered and/or the mental harm caused. Currently, the organisation provides compensation sums of between £1,000 and £500,000.
It’s important to be aware that claims for CICA compensation must be made within two years of the date of the incident, unless there are exceptional circumstances or the victim was a minor when the incident took place.
Who is eligible for CICA compensation?
CICA considers claims for people who have suffered injury following a violent crime, as well as for victims of sexual and physical abuse.
In order to claim, you must:
- Have been injured enough to be awarded the minimum payout of £1,000
- Have been injured in an act of violence in England, Scotland, or Wales
- Make your application to the CICA within two calendar years of the violent incident that caused injury (unless you fall into one of the categories mentioned previously)
- Have reported the crime to the police.
Don’t worry about the courts – you can be eligible for CICA compensation even if the violent offender hasn’t been convicted or even charged with a crime.
CICA provides compensation for the physical and mental harm experienced, as well as lost earnings where people have limited or no capacity to work as a result of the injuries they suffered. It also issues compensation in cases of fatality caused by violent crimes, including bereavement payments, payments for financial dependents and funeral payments.
Who is not eligible for CICA compensation?
CICA will not process any claims made by:
- People whose injury took place before 1 August 1964
- People who have already applied for compensation for the same criminal injury under any earlier government programme in the UK
- People who were living with the person who injured them – this only applies if the crime took place before 1 October 1979.
Also, CICA may refuse criminal injuries claims on the basis of:
- an injured person’s behaviour after the criminal injury incident
- an injured person’s criminal record
- failure on the part of the injured person to cooperate with the police.
How do I apply for CICA compensation?
Applications for compensation can be made online, through the post or via a victim’s charity such as Victim Support. In order to apply, you will need to supply certain pieces of evidence. For example, you may be asked for medical evidence that shows you suffered injury, as well as evidence to support claims for lost earnings. You may also need proof that you meet the residency requirements.
How long does CICA compensation take to come through?
The time it takes for CICA to assess your claim will largely depend on how complex your case is. Complicated claims typically take longer to be processed. Also, CICA will not make a decision on your case until you confirm that you have recovered, as much as possible, from the harm you suffered.
All eligible claims to CICA will be paid, but you may have to wait for up to 12 months or longer to be awarded compensation.
If your compensation claim is successful, you have to notify CICA that you accept their offer. Once this has happened, the money is usually transferred into your bank account within four weeks.
Helping you get the compensation you deserve
After suffering physical or psychological harm as a result of an act of violence, seeking criminal injury compensation can seem like a daunting task. This is where specialist solicitors come in. These experts will make the process as simple and stress-free as possible, and help you to secure the compensation you deserve.
Use our website to compare criminal injury solicitors today.