Claiming Criminal Injuries Compensation For Facial Scarring

In this guide, we will discuss the process of claiming criminal injuries compensation for facial scarring following an act of violence. We will examine the criteria of eligibility that must be met in order to make a criminal injury claim. Therefore, you can check if you’re eligible. 

criminal injuries compensation for facial scarring

Criminal injuries compensation for facial scarring guide

Various injuries could result in facial scarrings, such as lacerations or burns. These injuries may also range in severity from minor scars on the skin to significant facial disfigurement. Therefore, facial scarring could impact your quality of life by affecting your confidence and causing psychological harm. In some cases, scarring near your joints can restrict movement and cause pain and discomfort. 

Please continue reading to discover potential payouts for a criminal injury compensation claim. We also have a criminal injuries compensation calculator that you can use to get a more accurate estimation of the amount you could receive. 

Speak to one of our advisors if you have any questions or would like to begin your claim today. They are available to provide free and confidential legal advice 24/7. Therefore, they are able to talk at a time convenient for you. 

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Choose A Section

  1. A Guide To Criminal Injuries Compensation For Facial Scarring
  2. When Am I Eligible To Claim For Facial Scarring Compensation?
  3. What Evidence Do I Need To Claim Via The CICA?
  4. Potential Payouts From A Criminal Injury Compensation Claim
  5. Can I Seek Criminal Injuries Compensation On A No Win No Fee Basis?
  6. Learn More About Seeking Criminal Injuries Compensation For Facial Scarring

A Guide To Criminal Injuries Compensation For Facial Scarring

There are different ways in which you could go about bringing forward a claim for criminal injuries compensation for facial scarring:

  • Firstly, you could claim directly against the perpetrator, given that you know the person’s identity and they have the available funds to pay the compensation.
  • Secondly, you may be able to make a claim against a vicariously liable party that owed you a duty of care and was, therefore, partly to blame for your injuries. 
  • Finally, if neither of the options above are suitable, you may be eligible to claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). They are responsible for administering a government-funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. This aims to compensate victims injured by violent crimes, such as sexual assault and common assault and attempted murder in Great Britain. 

Continue reading to learn more about when you may be eligible to claim and what evidence you may be required to provide. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak to our advisors. 

When Am I Eligible To Claim For Facial Scarring Compensation?

To claim criminal injuries compensation for facial scarring through the CICA, you must meet the criteria of eligibility outlined in the Scheme: 

  • You must have been a direct victim of a crime of violence.
  • The incident must have occurred in Scotland, England, Wales or another relevant place. 
  • The incident must have been reported to the police.
  • You must be within the relevant time limits. Find out more about this in the following section.  

It is important to note that the eligibility criteria for applying directly against your perpetrator or a vicariously liable party may differ. Contact our team to find out more. 

Is There A Time Limit To Making A Claim Through The CICA?

Have you wondered, ‘how long do I have to begin a claim through the CICA?’ If you were an adult when the incident occurred, you generally have two years to make an application. However, the CICA recommends that an application be made as soon as reasonably practicable. You do not need to wait for the conclusion of criminal proceedings if any are ongoing.  

This time limit could be extended in cases where exceptional circumstances prevented you from making an application sooner, and the evidence provided will allow a claims officer to determine the outcome without carrying out further extensive enquiries. Also, the CICA makes exceptions to these time limits for applicants that were under the age of 18 at the time the incident occurred. 

Contact one of our informative advisors to learn more about the time limits that apply when claiming criminal injuries compensation for facial scarring.

What Evidence Do I Need To Claim Via The CICA?

To apply to the CICA for compensation, you could be required to produce the following evidence: 

  • Evidence of residency – which shows you meet the relevant residency requirements. 
  • Medical evidence – where appropriate, you may be asked to provide evidence of your injuries. 
  • Your police reference number – this shows that the crime was reported to the police. 
  • Evidence of any financial losses – this could include receipts, bank records and payslips.  

The CICA can also liaise with the police for further evidence they may require regarding the crime. 

Please continue reading to find out how much compensation could be awarded for different injuries by the CICA, per the tariff of injuries. 

Potential Payouts From A Criminal Injury Compensation Claim

For a successful CICA claim, the CICA could award different types of criminal injuries compensation for facial scarring. Firstly, in the table below, we will refer to the tariff of injuries to examine how much compensation you could receive for your physical and mental injuries. Criminal injury solicitors and other legal professionals also use the tariff as a reference to see how much claims are worth. 

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If you are suffering from multiple injuries from this tariff, the Scheme states that the CICA could award compensation for up to three of these if they would have each qualified independently. However, there is a formula for the amounts you will receive for each injury: 

  • The injury which is the most serious – 100% of the tariff amount. 
  • The injury that is valued equally or as the second highest – 30% of the tariff amount. 
  • The injury that is valued equally or as the third highest – 15% of the tariff amount.  

Additional payments can be made from a separate tariff if, as a direct result of the criminal violence you:

  • Lost a foetus
  • Became pregnant
  • Contracted a sexually transmitted disease.  

Violent Crime Compensation – Special Expenses

The CICA could also award compensation for certain monetary expenses caused by the incident. For example, if your injury was so serious that it impacted your capacity to earn or prevented you from working for over 28 weeks, you could claim for loss of earnings. If you are found eligible for this award, it would be paid from week 29, as before this, you may be able to receive Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). 

Also, if your injury was so serious that your capacity to earn was affected for more than 28 weeks, you could be awarded compensation under special expenses. Unlike the loss of earnings, these would be paid from the date of the injury. This could include: 

  • The costs of care regarding your bodily functions or meal preparation. 
  • Housing adaptations made necessary by your injuries.
  • A physical aid lost or damaged due to the incident, for example, a walking stick. 
  • The cost of medical treatment from the NHS.
  • Special equipment, such as a specially adapted vehicle.

To receive a special expenses payment, the cost must be necessary, be a direct result of your criminal injury, must not be available for free elsewhere, and must be reasonable. 

It is important to note that the compensation awarded for a claim against the perpetrator directly or a vicariously liable party may differ. Contact our team of advisors to discuss how much compensation you could be eligible to receive.  

Can I Seek Criminal Injuries Compensation On A No Win No Fee Basis?

Claiming criminal injuries compensation for facial scarring using a solicitor under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), a type of No Win No Fee agreement, could prove advantageous. This is because you will usually not be required to make any upfront or ongoing payments for a solicitor’s services. Nor will you generally make any payments for these should your claim be unsuccessful.  

Alternatively, a successful claim will mean your solicitor receives a ‘success fee’. This is a small, legally capped percentage of the compensation. Therefore, a solicitor cannot overcharge you. 

Allow one of our advisors to assess your claim. If they find it could be eligible, they could place you in contact with our No Win No Fee solicitors.  

Contact Us For Free 24/7 To See If You Can Make A Claim Through The CICA

For advice on applying for criminal injuries compensation for facial scarring, speak to our team at Criminal Injuries Compensation Expert.

You can:

Learn More About Seeking Criminal Injuries Compensation For Facial Scarring

Have a look at more guides from our website on criminal injury claims:

Also, explore these external links for further information:

Thank you for reading this guide to claiming criminal injuries compensation for facial scarring.

Writer Jess Oisin 

Publisher Fern Smithers