UK CRIMINAL INJURY
COMPENSATION CLAIM ADVICE

The CICA pays compensation to victims of violent crime. In order to claim it is necessary to show that the claimant reported the matter to the police and was co-operative with the investigation. Behaviour before and after the assault is taken into consideration and anyone with a conviction for a violent offence may have any award reduced or extinguished. It is not necessary for there to be a conviction in order to succeed in a claim. There is generally a 2 year time limit for making a claim.

A criminal injury compensation claim can be made for both physical and psychological/psychiatric injuries suffered as a result of a crime. Compensation is based on a ‘tariff’ scheme and levels range from £1000 to £250,000. Additional compensation in certain restricted circumstances may be awarded for special expenses and/or loss of earnings up to £250,000. The maximum amount of compensation that may be awarded under the scheme is £500,000. To qualify for the basic award of £1,000 the injury must have taken at least 6 weeks to heal and must have needed at least two visits for medical treatment.

Applications may be made for compensation for fatal injuries by those who have lost a family member through crime and victims of violent offences that occurred within a relationship may claim provided that the assaulter does not benefit in any way from the award.

Our solicitors will provide you with FREE legal advice on your rights and entitlements to make a criminal injury compensation claim. If you would like FREE professional legal advice from a specialist just use the helpline or complete the contact form and a solicitor will contact you as soon as possible to provide you with NO-OBLIGATION legal advice.

Here are 3 good reasons to choose our lawyers:

1. Our lawyers will provide you with legal advice on your rights and entitlements to compensation with no further obligation.
2. Our solicitors are specialist accredited expert members of the Law Society personal injury panel with extensive experience in negotiating, settling and litigating accident compensation claims.
3. If you decide to instruct any of our specialists to obtain compensation for you, they will act on a “no win no fee” basis. Compensation is paid in full and win or lose there is no charge.¹