UK CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION AUTHORITY CLAIMS

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) was established to ensure that victims of violent crime are offered statutory compensation. If you have had a physical or mental injury which has caused you to visit a doctor at least twice, and from which you did not recover for at least 6 weeks, then you may qualify for an award.

Physical and mental injuries are graded by seriousness, with bands ranging from £1,000 to £250,000. Furthermore, a combination of minor injuries may also qualify, if they have caused the victim at least two visits to a doctor for treatment, and if recovery has taken 6 weeks or more.

If, for more than 28 weeks, the injuries have caused the victim to lose earnings, or have undermined their capacity to earn, then the victim may be eligible for compensation for a longer period.

If, for more than 28 weeks the victim's injuries cause them to be incapacitated, or if they are likely to be incapacitated for this length time, than they may be entitled to claim damages for the cost of medical treatment or care.

The following criteria apply for a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority award :-

• The value of the injuries should be £1,000 or greater
• The incident should have been reported to the police promptly
• The claim should normally be made within two years of the violent incident
• Compensation may be obtained by a victim of family violence, provided that the offender will not benefit
• The victim should not have provoked the incident
• The behaviour of all the parties before, during, and after the incident is considered
• The victim must co-operate fully with the CICA and the police
• Road Traffic offences are not considered, except where a vehicle has been deliberately used as a weapon
• Any unspent convictions for violence in respect to the victim will be taken into account
• A claim may still be made even if there was not a criminal conviction

We represent specialist solicitors located across the United Kingdom who deal with Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority claims. All of our expert lawyers focus on personal injury compensation and as a sign of their quality, in England and Wales they are all members of the exclusive Law Society panel of personal injury experts. The Law Society demands that both solicitors and their firms display high levels of experience, expertise and competence. Our specialist solicitors will also offer you a risk-free, ‘No Win No Fee’ arrangement.

Note, however, that while our panel solicitors will deal with your claim on a risk free no win no fee basis, the CICA do not pay or contribute to the legal costs of an application. These costs are consequently deducted from the amount of any award of compensation made by the CICA. To talk to a solicitor without obligation about risk free compensation claims, simply complete and send the contact form. An expert solicitor who deals exclusively in personal injury compensation claims will telephone you to provide free, clear advice and information.