Acid Attack Compensation Claims – A Full Guide

This guide will look at the acid attack compensation claims process. If you have been injured as the result of a crime of violence, you could be entitled to criminal injury compensation.

Acid attack compensation claims

Acid attack compensation claims guide

This guide explains how a psychological and physical injury claim can still be possible through an executive agency called the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), which receives funding from the government. We’ll look at some of the criteria for claiming through the CICA and the damages that they can award.

An acid attack can cause burn injuries. These can be painful and can allow infection to enter the body. Furthermore, when burn injuries heal, they can leave scars. Scars, for example, facial scarring, can be both disfiguring and painful, as they might restrict the amount that you can move certain parts of the body.

Throwing a corrosive fluid on a person with the intention to cause harm is an offence according to the Offences Against The Person Act 1861. This is the same legislation that outlines murder, manslaughter and common assault as offences.

Read on or get in touch with our team of advisors for free legal advice. If your case is valid, you could be connected with a lawyer from our panel. To find out more, get in touch by:

Choose A Section

  1. Can I Claim For an Acid Attack?
  2. Acid Attack Compensation Claims – How to Claim
  3. How Much Could I Receive From An Acid Attack?
  4. Is There a Time Limit In Relation to Acid Attack Compensation Claims?
  5. What Potential Evidence Could Help Me Make a Burn Injury Claim?
  6. Why Use Our Panel of No Win No Fee Solicitors?
  7. Learn More About Making Acid Attack Compensation Claims

Can I Claim For an Acid Attack?

An acid attack is when someone throws a corrosive substance on a person with the intention of causing them harm or disfigurement. There are a number of materials that could be used to perpetrate this kind of attack.

If you’ve been harmed as the result of a crime of violence, there are several channels available for you to be compensated through. For example, you might be able to claim directly against someone who injured you in a crime of violence. However, in order to do this, you would need to know who committed the crime and they would need to have the funds available to pay you.

There is also the option of claiming through the CICA. As we have mentioned, this is an agency that has been set up with the express purpose of compensating victims of violent crimes for the harm they have undergone.

If you are able to claim through another channel, then you should attempt to do so; the CICA should only be used as a last resort. However, if there are no other avenues through which you can be compensated for the harm you were caused, then you could make a CICA claim.

Read on for more information on the process of making a claim after a crime of violence. Otherwise, get in touch with our team today for free legal advice about acid attack compensation claims.

Acid Attack Compensation Claims – How to Claim

In order for you to make a CICA claim, you will need to show that you were injured in a crime of violence. The CICA define a crime of violence in their Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme.

It’s also important that you were injured- if you were not injured as a result of the attack, then you would not have a claim. However, physical injuries are not the only ones that could be compensated through the CICA- you could also receive a settlement for physical injuries.

Furthermore, it is essential that you report the incident to the police; if it is not reported to them, then you cannot make a claim. This should also be done as soon as possible.

What If The Acid Attack Happened At Work?

You could claim against a vicariously liable party if negligence caused your acid attack. Under the legislation called the Health and Safety At Work etc Act 1974, all British employers have a legal duty of care to reduce or remove hazards in the workplace as much as reasonably practicable.

You could sustain injuries in an acid attack caused by the negligence of your employer. For example, if you were being threatened by a colleague in the workplace, and your employer failed to listen to your concerns and take steps to protect you, then this could result in you being the victim of an acid attack. You could be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries.

Speakl with one of our advisors today for guidance on claiming for a criminal injury caused by employer negligence. They can offer guidance on the acid attack compensation claims process.

How Much Could I Receive From An Acid Attack?

If you claim compensation through the CICA, then you could receive compensation that is made up of two heads. You may receive compensation for your injuries.

Criminal injury compensation amounts are valued in line with the CICA tariff of injuries that are set out in the Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme. We have included examples of these in the table below, but you could also use our compensation calculator.

[table id=30 /]

Burn Injury Settlement Amounts UK – What Else Could I Claim?

You could also be entitled to special expenses. These relate to necessary, reasonable costs that you incurred as a direct result of your injuries. It can include:

  • A loss of earnings
  • Medical costs for treatments that you can’t get for free on the NHS
  • Adaptations at home to accommodate a disability

Our team can offer further help in applying for criminal injury compensation if you get in touch.

Is There a Time Limit In Relation to Acid Attack Compensation Claims?

You may be wondering how long a criminal injury claim takes. Acid attack compensation claims must generally be submitted within a two-year time frame.

The two year time limit runs from the date the incident was reported to the police, which should usually be right away. If exceptional circumstances stopped you from being able to report the incident right away, then your claim may still be considered, however.

Furthermore, if you could not start a claim within two years of the incident being reported because of extenuating circumstances, then you could still be entitled to claim. The CICA would need to confirm the exceptional circumstances that apply in order for you to claim outside of this time limit.

What Potential Evidence Could Help Me Make a Burn Injury Claim?

You will need to provide evidence to the CICA in support of your claim. For example, this could include a crime reference number that shows the incident was reported to the police.

You could also provide the CICA with medical evidence to show the extent of your injuries, and evidence that you meed the residency criteria for claiming.

The CICA will liaise with the police to confirm other details related to your claim. For example, they will check whether you have any unspent criminal convictions as the presence of these could affect the amount you receive or cause your award to be withheld altogether.

You can speak with our advisors for guidance on eligibility for free right now at the contact details above and below. They can offer guidance on acid attack compensation claims.

Why Use Our Panel of No Win No Fee Solicitors?

A criminal injury solicitor could help you secure compensation for the harm that you were caused in a crime of violence. Furthermore, under a No Win No Fee agreement, you could access the work of a legal representative without any upfront or ongoing fees. A Conditional Fee Agreement is a kind of No Win No Fee agreement that you could be offered. 

This kind of agreement generally means that you won’t pay your lawyer upfront or as they work on your claim. Furthermore, there’s generally nothing to pay in the event that your claim is not a success.

If you are awarded compensation, then a success fee will be taken from your settlement; this has a legal limit which stops you from being overcharged.

Learn more about working with a No Win No Fee lawyer by getting in touch using the details below:

Learn More About Making Acid Attack Compensation Claims

In conclusion, acid attack compensation claims advice is something we can directly assist with. Below are further resources:

Below, we have included links to more of our guides:

Writer Jeff Winkle 

Publisher Fern Smithers