Advice On Applying For Criminal Injuries Compensation

In this guide, we will give you advice on applying for criminal injuries compensation. We’ll discuss the current criminal injuries compensation tariff and answer questions such as, ‘how long does it take to get criminal injuries compensation?’.

Applying for criminal injuries compensation

Applying for criminal injuries compensation guide

Additionally, we’ve featured a criminal injuries compensation calculator so that you can get an idea of the potential criminal injuries compensation amounts you might receive. You’ll also find out how a No Win No Fee lawyer from our panel could help you the maximum payout for criminal injury compensation.

You might consider the process of applying for compensation daunting; however, please be assured that our advisors can offer free legal advice and support you when discussing your incident. There is no charge for a consultation either. 

To get in touch, you can:

  • Give us a call on the phone number above
  • Fill out the online form for a free call back
  • Speak to an advisor via our live chat window

Choose A Section

Guidance On Applying For Criminal Injuries Compensation

Typically, there are three ways you could claim against someone if they have injured you in a crime of violence. You could:

  • Claim directly against the person who injured you; however, this is only possible if you know who they are and they have the available funds or assets to pay you compensation.
  • Claim against a vicariously liable party, which is when you are criminally injured, but blame may be bestowed on an organisation that owed you a duty of care. This could happen if you were sexually abused by a teacher that has a history of abuse. However, their employer did not perform a DBS check on theme. Subsequently, you could claim compensation against the school.
  • Claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), an executive agency of the government that provides compensation to victims of crimes of violence in England, Scotland and Wales. To be eligible, however, you must report the incident to the police as soon as possible and make the claim within two years of doing so. 

CICA Statistics 

An annual report from the CICA found that 28,771 claims were made for CICA compensation last year, whilst 27,669 claims were resolved. In addition, the CICA found:

  • 94% of claimants were satisfied with their service
  • 70% of cases had a first decision within a year
  • 43% of cases had a first decision by six months

Find out more about applying for criminal injuries compensation amounts by speaking to our advisors. They could connect you to criminal injuries compensation lawyers from our panel.

Examples Of Criminal Injury Incidents

In this section, we’ll focus on the different criminal injuries that you may claim for. Whilst criminal injuries vary depending on type and severity, here are examples of typical criminal injuries:

  • Assault: The UK law states there are three different types of assault. Firstly, common assault may occur through physical violence or threatening words. Next, there is actual bodily harm (ABH), which accounts for more serious physical harm such as bruises. Lastly, there is grievous bodily harm (GBH) and that involves severe injuries like a wound from being stabbed.
  • Sexual assault: Rape is also covered in this category, which is where someone uses their penis to penetrate the mouth, anus or vagina of another person without consent. It is worth noting that perpetration does not need to have happened for an attack to be considered sexual assault; sexual assault is any unwanted sexual touching, and assault by penetration is where someone sexually penetrates another person using their body part or another object. In addition, psychological harm, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often associated with the trauma caused by sexual assault.
  • Historical abuse: You may still be able to claim compensation for abuse that happened a long time ago, for example, if you’re an adult now but were abused as a child. You could also suffer from psychological or physical injuries after a period in which you were abused.

It may be difficult for you to discuss your criminal injury, but our advisors can offer friendly support and advice. Furthermore, if you have a valid clai

What Evidence Do I Need When Applying For Criminal Injuries Compensation?

Before applying for criminal injuries compensation, it would be useful for you to gather as much evidence as possible to support your claim. Below, we have included examples of what you must obtain before seeking criminal injury compensation through the CICA:

  • A police reference number to confirm that your crime was reported
  • Proof that you meet the residency requirements
  • The cost of medical evidence up to the value of £50 – however, we could help you obtain this and will deduct the cost from your award

The CICA may also communicate with the police in relation to your claim. They will confirm that you cooperated with them in their investigations and any details of your criminal record that could affect your case.

The criminal injury solicitors from our panel are experienced and they aim to make this process as easy as possible. 

Examples Of Payouts For Criminal Injuries

You might wonder, ‘how much criminal injuries compensation will I get?’ In this section we’ll discuss the criminal injuries compensation rates when making a CICA claim.

One head of damage you could claim is a loss of earnings, which you might experience if you have needed to take time off work following a criminal injury. However, it is important that you can demonstrate that you were unable to work for at least 28 full weeks after the incident. Furthermore, you are only compensated for the 29th week and onwards since you could be awarded statutory sick pay prior to this.

Another head of damage you could claim is special expenses. This could include any equipment you may rely on for physical aid that may have been damaged in an incident for example, glasses or a hearing aid. 

Other special expenses may include equipment you require to cope with your injury, such as a specially adapted car. You could also claim for any adaptations needed to your home, such as a stairlift. Any special expenses you claim for need to be necessary, reasonable and be caused as a direct result of the injury.

Below we’ve included a table featuring examples of criminal injury compensation amounts using the tariff of injuries from the CICA Scheme.

[table id=20 /]

If you’re ready to get in touch, our advisors could offer support about applying for criminal injuries compensation. 

Could I Work With A No Win No Fee Lawyer?

Working with a lawyer in a criminal injury claim can be beneficial but can cost large upfront fees. If this is offputting to you, you might benefit from funding the work of a lawyer with a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) in place.

This type of deal is a kind of No Win No Fee arrangement. Throughout the course of your claim, you won’t be asked to pay any ongoing fees. You also don’t have to pay us anything for their services if your claim is unsuccessful.

Your lawyer will deduct their fee from any personal injury settlement they are able to obtain for you. The fee that is deducted is a legally capped percentage under the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013.

Ask Us About Applying For Criminal Injuries Compensation 

Have you got questions about applying for compensation after sustaining a criminal injury? Our advisors are available to help you with any queries and could connect you to a No Win No Fee lawyer from our panel if you have a valid case. To find out more, you can:

  • Give us a call on the phone number above
  • Fill out the online form for a free call back
  • Speak to an advisor via our live chat window

More Information About Applying For Criminal Injuries Compensation

We’ve featured some additional resources below that you might find useful if applying for criminal injuries compensation:

Report a crime or incident – Police guidance on reporting any crime incidents.

Urgent and emergency care services – Find NHS services if you need urgent medical help.

Coping with crime – Get support from Victim Support, a charity dedicated to supporting people affected by crime or traumatic incidents.

That concludes our guide on applying for criminal injuries compensation. If you think we could help you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Writer Lewis Jenson

Publisher Fern Smithers