Actual bodily harm (ABH) is a form of assault that causes a serious injury to a person. If you were injured due to this, you could be eligible to claim ABH compensation. Provided that you also meet the residency requirements, have made a police report, and are claiming within the time limit, you can make an assault claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This is a government body that pays compensation to those who have been impacted by violent crimes where it is not possible to claim against the perpetrator.
Coping with injuries caused by ABH can be extremely difficult, as the physical and psychological impact can be severe. Common forms of harm include lacerations, bruising and fractures. However, criminal injuries compensation could help you to reduce your financial stresses and prioritise your recovery.
Our advisors have handled many enquiries of this nature, so please get in touch to find out more information. All advice is offered free of charge and with no strings attached. If you are hoping to proceed, you may be connected with one of our dedicated solicitors. They have a deep understanding of the CICA process and will use this expertise to provide tailored support from start to finish.
- Call our team on 0800 073 8801
- Enquire online
- Use our live chat feature to speak directly with an advisor
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4.8 (948 reviews)Jump To A Section
- How Much ABH Compensation Can I Claim?
- How Is Compensation For ABH Calculated?
- Can Compensation Cover Special Damages For ABH?
- Can I Make A Claim For ABH?
- Examples Of Injuries That ABH Can Result In
- What Is The Process Of Claiming Compensation For ABH?
- No Win No Fee ABH Compensation Claims
- Learn More
How Much ABH Compensation Can I Claim?
How much compensation you could receive for ABH depends on the physical, financial and psychological impact that you have experienced due to the violent crime. Firstly, legal professionals will assess the compensation for your injuries. They will use the set tariffs from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 in order to do this. We have included some examples of CICA payouts, which are based on different severities and types of criminal injuries.
You are welcome to speak with our advisors to learn more about these tariffs. They can even perform a tailored case assessment to estimate the compensation that you could be entitled to. The CICA individually assesses each criminal injury compensation claim, so you may benefit from discussing the specifics of your case with an expert member of our enquiries team.
The top entry is the maximum amount which the CICA can pay out for a successful claim.
Type of Injury Tariff Notes
Multiple severe injuries with special expenses Up to £500,000 Costs might be for replacement of physical aids, adjustments to the home and help with administrative tasks
Brain £16,500 Ongoing problems with memory and
concentration over a period of 6 months up to 2 years
Ankle £16,500 Both ankles fractured or dislocated, with significant continuing disability
Eye £13,500 Permanent double or blurred vision which is serious
Humerus £11,000 Significant, ongoing disability, with both arms fractured
Radius £11,000 Fractures to both arms and significant, ongoing disability
Face £11,000 Multiple facial fractures, such as Le Fort fractures types 2 and 3
Wrist £11,000 Dislocated or fractured wrist (including scaphoid fracture affecting both wrists with continuing significant disability
Scarring £11,000 Serious facial disfigurement
Elbow £11,000 Both elbow fractures, causing ongoing disability that is significant
You can get a tailored assessment of criminal injury compensation by speaking with our advisors today. They understand how difficult a time this can be, and will make sure that your well-being is prioritised throughout your free consultation.
How Is Compensation For ABH Calculated?
Compensation for ABH is calculated by considering the number of injuries, how extensive their impact is, and various financial costs that you have incurred. The CICA will take the time to assess this based on the evidence provided to them.
The calculation of compensation can seem complicated, but our advisors are happy to explain the process for you.
Can Compensation Cover Special Expenses For ABH?
Yes, ABH compensation can include special expenses, allowing you to recover various costs that resulted from your injuries. For example, you may have paid to:
- Replace physical aids/equipment that was broken during the incident (such as glasses or hearing aids)
- Adapt your home for your injuries (this could apply to the installation of a stairlift)
- Access equipment needed to cope with your injuries (including specialist kitchen equipment)
- Receive supervision that aims to protect yourself and others from any danger you my pose
- Have someone handle administrative tasks that you are unable to perform due to a lack of mental capacity
If you are able to prove that you paid such costs, you can add them to your claim. Bank statements and receipts may help you to do this. It’s important to keep in mind that any loss you claim for must be necessary, reasonable, and not be freely available elsewhere.
Our advisors can explain special expenses in further detail, as you may not be sure whether certain costs are included. They will advise you for free, and you are not obligated to proceed with a claim if you decide against it.
Can I Make A Claim For ABH?
Yes, you can make a claim for ABH compensation if you meet the criteria established by the CICA. This means that the following must apply to your case:
- You were injured due to a violent crime (such as ABH)
- The crime occurred in England, Scotland, Wales or another relevant location (such as a boat that is registered to one of the countries mentioned)
- You have begun the claim within the time limit (we provide further details of this later)
You can make a CICA claim regardless of whether the perpetrator has been prosecuted or identified. Rather, the CICA will use your police reference number to inform their decision on whether compensation should be awarded.
Can I Claim ABH Compensation For Multiple Injuries?
Yes, you can claim ABH compensation for up to 3 multiple injuries under the tariff system set by the CICA. In this scenario, compensation is based on a multiple injuries formula as follows:
- 100% of the tariff for your highest value injury will be awarded
- You will receive 30% of the tariff for your second-highest-value injury
- You will receive 15% of the tariff for your third-highest-value injury
Keep reading to find out what special expenses could be added to your claim. Our advisors are also available 24/7 to further explain the different factors that are likely to impact your CICA compensation.
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Examples Of Injuries That ABH Can Result In
Fractures, tooth loss, lacerations, and psychological harm are common examples of injuries that ABH can result in. Any physical injuries do not need to be permanent to constitute ABH, but they must be more than ‘transient’ or ‘trifling.’ More specifically, ABH may encompass:
- Fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Bruising
- Concussions
- Psychological conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Don’t worry if your injuries have not been listed. Speak with an advisor directly to discuss how exactly you have impacted.
What Is The Process Of Claiming Compensation For ABH?
When claiming ABH compensation, the process will require you to provide evidence and start the claim within the appropriate time limit. Firstly, you will need to give:
- A police reference number
- Medical proof of your injuries
- Evidence showing that you meet the residency requirements
The CICA can then liaise with the police if they require additional information.
In terms of the time limit for criminal injuries claims, you will generally need to start the claim within 2 years of the date on which ABH occurred. If you cannot meet this timeframe, you may still have the chance to claim if you can prove that exceptional circumstances applied.
If the incident affected a child, the time limit applies in the following ways:
- If the person was under 18 at the time of the incident and a police report was made, but a claim was not begun, they will have 2 years from their 18th birthday to make a claim (unless there are exceptional circumstances)
- If the person was under 18 at the time of the incident and no police report was made, they will have 2 years from the date of making a report to the police to claim. However, they will need to give evidence of the exceptional circumstances that stopped them from reporting the incident sooner
Don’t worry if you feel uncertain about the evidence and time limits for making a claim, as you don’t need to figure this out on your own. Our advisors are available 24/7 to explain these details of the process in relation to your specific case.
No Win No Fee ABH Compensation Claims
Our solicitors have successfully represented clients nationwide, providing dedicated support throughout the No Win No Fee ABH compensation claims process. They specifically work under the terms of a Conditional Fee Agreement, which offers plenty of benefits for claimants. This is due to the fact that there is no requirement to pay any service fees for your solicitor’s work at the following stages of a claim:
- Before the beginning of the ABH claim
- While the case is being assessed
- If the CICA does not compensate you
However, should the CICA determine that compensation will be paid to you, a success fee will apply. This is the percentage of the compensation that you must pay to your solicitor. The idea of paying a legal fee can cause some people to worry, but you may wish to know that the success fee is legally capped. This means that the largest share of the compensation remains with you.
You should also consider that working with one of our solicitors could make the process a lot easier for you. Their excellent legal services include:
- Helping you to collect evidence that meets the CICA requirements
- Assisting you with an appeal if you disagree with the CICA’s decision
- Explaining how each stage of the CICA process works
- Checking that you have met the appropriate time limit for your ABH claim
Contact Accident Claims’ Solicitors
You can speak with an Accident Claims advisor today to discuss making a criminal injury claim. They have handled many enquiries of this nature and understand that making a claim of this nature can be a big decision. Therefore, they will be happy to explain further details of the legal process and even estimate your compensation before you make any commitments. If you are seeking to claim, they could connect you to one of our expert solicitors. With over £80 million in compensation already awarded to our clients, why not get in touch today?
- Call our team on 0800 073 8801
- Enquire online
- Use our live chat feature to speak directly with an advisor
Learn More
Read our other criminal injury claim guides:
- Learn how to claim compensation for rape
- Visit our guide on claiming domestic violence compensation
- Find out about claiming for sexual abuse by a stranger
External resources:
- Visit the NHS guidance on when to call 999
- Read the information provided by Victim First on assault and ABH
- Find out about your rights after a crime in this government resource
Thank you for reading this guide on claiming ABH compensation.
