What is a criminal injury?
A criminal injury is a physical or psychological problem caused by abuse or a violent crime. If you have been the victim of a criminal act, whether you were attacked or witnessed an attack, you were an innocent victim and the criminal act resulted in an injury, then you may be entitled to claim victim compensation.
Criminal Injuries Compensation – CICA Claims
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government-run scheme set up to help people injured as a result of a violent crime, sexual assault and abuse. The organisation allows victims of assault to claim compensation for their injuries.
Crimes that can be claimed for include:
- Stalking
- Harassment
- Assault
- Domestic Violence
- Murder (if someone close to you dies as the result of a crime)
- Robbery
Who can apply for criminal injury compensation?
If you have been physically injured or suffered psychological trauma through no fault of your own, you may be able to apply for criminal injury compensation. You must report the crime to the police if you want to claim for criminal injury compensation. If you don’t, the CICA will not be able to make a payment.
How do I make a criminal injuries compensation claim?
If you have been a victim of assault and want to make a criminal compensation claim, you should:
- Report the incident immediately to the police
- Seek medical care if needed
- Contact our team of expert assault compensation solicitors who will give you free advice about your claim.
We will gather all the information we need about the case and will negotiate with the CICA on your behalf to help you get the best outcome. The CICA will want to gather evidence from outside agencies including the police, doctors and hospitals.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority has a two-year limit to make a claim after a criminal incident, so contact us as soon as you can to get your claim started.
How long does criminal injury compensation take?
The CICA usually takes 12-18 months to process a claim. It can be longer depending on the complexity of the crime and the seriousness of the injury. After receiving an offer of compensation from the CICA you will usually receive your settlement within 14-28 days.
Criminal injuries compensation - average pay-outs
The CICA has a system of tariffs for different types of injury, with a maximum of for the most serious injury of £500,000. Pay-outs range from a typical £1,000 for moderate psychological damage, to more than £27,000 for sexual assault. You may also be able to claim for loss of earnings. Payouts for criminal compensation claims vary greatly from case to case.
If you are seeking compensation for assault and have suffered multiple injuries, the CICA will award 100% of their tariff value for your most serious injury, 30% of the second most serious injury and 15% of the third.
Can I claim criminal injury compensation if no-one is caught?
You can claim criminal injuries compensation even if no-one is caught. If the person responsible for your injury is caught but is not in a position to pay victim compensation for your assault, you may still be entitled to claim through the CICA.
Can I claim for criminal injuries if I have a criminal record?
If you have a criminal record you may still be able to claim for criminal injuries. The CICA may take this into account when assessing your claim but you may still be entitled to assault compensation.
