If you’ve been injured in a crime of violence, you may have suffered physically, mentally, and financially. While there may be proceedings against the perpetrator, you may also claim compensation for your criminal injuries. Therefore, this guide will focus on the process of making a criminal injury compensation claim.
We will focus on the eligibility criteria for criminal injury claims and how your compensation for such injuries may be calculated. You will also learn about the applicable time limit and the type of evidence that can be submitted.
We will end this guide by looking at how a No Win No Fee solicitor of ours could help you with making such a claim.
Contact us now for more information on criminal injury compensation:
- Call 0800 073 8801
- Contact us online.
- Talk to one of our advisors through live chat.
What Are Criminal Injury Claims?
Criminal injuries are the injuries which you suffer as a result of a criminal act. Therefore, criminal injury claims are made to claim compensation for the injuries sustained in a criminal act.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government agency established to award compensation to victims who have been physically or mentally injured in a crime of violence in Great Britain. However, claiming through the CICA should be the last resort, and this option is not available if you haven’t explored the following avenues:
- Claiming directly against the perpetrator, if you know their identity and they have the means to compensate you.
- Making a claim against a vicariously liable party, usually an entity which had a duty of care towards you, such as your employer.
To know more about the working of the CICA, call us, and we will also discuss your criminal injury claim in great detail.
Can I Make A Claim For Criminal Injuries?
There are some specific eligibility requirements which need to be fulfilled when claiming through the CICA:
- You have sustained injuries due to a crime of violence, which the CICA defines in Annex B of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. Examples of such an act include assault (including domestic violence), arson and sexual abuse.
- A police report has been made.
- The crime occurred within Great Britain or another relevant place, such as a British-controlled aircraft or ship.
Can CICA Claims Be Made On Behalf Of A Loved One?
You can make a criminal injury compensation claim on behalf of your children by filling in their application form and submitting your details alongside proof of your relationship to one another. You can also ask a family member, friend or another trusted person to apply on your behalf. However, you will have to then submit confirmation that you authorise the person to receive instructions from the CICA regarding your claim.
Does The Incident Need To Be Reported To The Police?
The incident needs to be reported to the police; otherwise, the CICA will not process your criminal injury claim. While filling out the application, you will be asked to provide the police reference number. Therefore, reporting the incident is necessary before making a claim through the CICA.
Can Claims Be Made Against A Non-Convicted Person?
Yes, a criminal injury claim can be made even against a person who hasn’t been convicted. The CICA will assess your claim through a balance of probabilities and may use the police reference number to request further information from the police.
What If The Assailant Is Unknown?
A claim can be made even if the assailant is unknown, as long as the other criteria are fulfilled.
Want to know if you can claim with a criminal record or have any general questions regarding the eligibility of your case? You can contact our advisors.
