By Lewis Hendrix. Last Updated 26th February 2025. If you’ve suffered injuries as the victim of a violent crime, you may be wondering if you could seek compensation. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) allows eligible victims of violent crime to seek compensation for their injuries if there is no other route to compensation for them. But how are criminal compensation payouts calculated? And how do you know if you could claim?
This guide has been created to inform you about the process of making a criminal injury claim through the CICA. In it, we explore criminal injuries and their compensation amounts, along with the time limits for claiming compensation in this manner.
We also explain how our solicitors could help eligible claimants get the compensation they deserve. To learn more, read on, or contact an advisor for free legal advice.
- Call 0800 073 8801
- Use Live Chat to get in touch.
- Contact us online.
Select A Section
- Payments Which The CICA Could Make
- Minimum And Maximum Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Tariffs
- Special Expenses Which The CICA Could Award
- CICA Payout Amounts Awarded For The Loss Of Earnings
- Do I Need Evidence To Make A CICA Claim?
- CICA Payout Amounts From The Criminal Injury Compensation Tariff
- Make A No Win No Fee Criminal Injury Claim
Payments Which The CICA Could Make
Here is the full list of reasons why CICA might consider making a payment from the scheme:
- Physical or mental injuries sustained during a violent crime.
- Sexual or physical abuse.
- Loss of earnings when your earning capacity is limited as a direct result of your injuries.
- Fatalities caused by violent crimes. This could include payments for loss of parental services and financial dependency, a bereavement payment and also payments to cover funeral expenses.
- Special expenses.
Each claim for a criminal injuries compensation maximum payout is assessed following the scheme’s eligibility criteria. If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible to make a claim, please continue reading or speak to a member of our team for free legal advice on your criminal compensation payouts.
Minimum And Maximum Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Tariffs
According to CICA documentation, the criminal injuries compensation maximum payout amount is £250,000 based on the tariff of injuries. However, when all other aspects of the claim are considered, there is an upper limit of £500,000.
When you make a claim, it will be considered against the tariff of injuries which details a compensation amount for each injury. If the total amount of your claim is valued at less than £1,000, then no compensation will be awarded.
When you speak with a team member, your claim will be assessed on a no-obligation basis. If the advisor believes you have a chance of success, they’ll refer you to a specialist solicitor. After they’ve reviewed your claim, they should be able to estimate the maximum criminal injuries compensation you could be entitled to receive.
CICA Bereavement Tariffs
A qualifying relative may claim a bereavement award for cases involving fatal injuries. The amount payable is £11,000 in cases where a single claimant exists. In the case where multiple relatives make a successful claim, they’ll receive £5,500 each.
Special Expenses Which The CICA Could Award
Under the CICA scheme, there are several ‘special expenses’ that could be claimed. These could cover certain costs incurred due to your injuries.
Special expenses can only be considered if you can show that the product or service you’re claiming for couldn’t be paid for by other services such as the benefits system or the NHS. Also, the expense you’re claiming must be necessary, caused as a direct result of your injury and reasonable.
CICA payout amounts for special expense claims could include:
- Personal Property Damage.
This can be for any item that you relied on as a physical aid (which you owned) that was damaged during the incident. For instance, you could claim dentures, walking sticks or spectacles. You will need to provide receipts as evidence that you paid for these items. - NHS Treatment.
You could also claim for any costs that arise as a direct result of NHS treatment. - Special Equipment.
If your injuries mean that you need physical aids like adapted vehicles, kitchen implements or walking aids, then you could include the cost in your claim. - Home Adaptations.
Adaptations to the inside or outside of your home could improve your ability to get around, or your independence could also be considered. - Care Costs.
If you require support with bodily functions or preparation of meals, then you could claim back any associated costs.
As mentioned earlier, you must claim for everything you might be entitled to at the same time. Our solicitors could help make sure your claim is submitted properly to try and ensure you receive the correct amount of compensation for your injuries. Please call a member of our team for free advice on claiming.
CICA Payout Amounts Awarded For The Loss Of Earnings
When you’re unable to work as a direct result of a criminal injury, you could be entitled to claim for a loss of earnings payment.
The injuries you sustained during the crime must result in a total inability to work or lead to a very limited ability to work. To be eligible to claim a criminal injuries compensation maximum payout, you’ll need to show that:
- You were employed at the time of the incident; or
- There is a long history of work or a reason why you don’t have such a history, for the 3-years before the incident. For instance, you may have caring responsibilities, be in full-time education or unable to work due to your age; and
- The length of your loss was over 28 full weeks. Loss of earnings cannot be claimed for the first 28-weeks.
Loss of earnings payments are based on the current Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) rate at the time of the claim.
Do I Need Evidence To Make A CICA Claim?
When claiming through the CICA for criminal injuries compensation, you’ll need to provide the following evidence. Without it, you may not be able to make a claim through them.
- A police reference number to prove that the crime was reported.
- Evidence that proves you meet the residency requirements.
- Medical evidence regarding your injuries, such as a copy of your medical records or the findings of an independent medical assessment.
It is also important to note that the CICA will be able to liaise with the police for any information they may need regarding the incident.
To discuss your CICA claim and to receive free advice, you can contact one of our advisors. They may also connect you with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors who could assist you with your claim.
CICA Payout Amounts From The Criminal Injury Compensation Tariff
Criminal compensation amounts claimed through the CICA are listed in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tariff. Each injury, whether physical or psychological, is assigned a set figure. Below, we have included some examples of CICA payouts from the tariff.
If claiming for more than one injury, only the most valuable injury is awarded at its full rate. Following this, the 2nd and 3rd most valuable injuries are generally awarded at respective rates of 30% and 15%.
However, for certain criminal injuries, the compensation amounts are not reduced if there are multiple injuries being claimed for. For instance, the loss of a foetus or the contraction of an STI is always awarded at the full rate.
Take a look at the illustrative criminal compensation amounts in the table below and get in touch with any questions.
| Injury | Compensation Tariff | Detailed Information |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious criminal injuries with associated special expenses. | Up to £500,000 | A combination of serious injuries and special expenses such as loss of income. |
| Brain Damage | £175,000 | Very serious brain injury with severe physical limitations and little insight. |
| Major Paralysis | £110,000 | Severe hemiplegia or motor and/or sensory function in half of the body. |
| Arms | £82,000 | The loss of one arm with no remaining hand or arm function. |
| Eye | £44,000 | Serious and permanent visual field loss. |
| Thumbs | £55,000 | Loss of both thumbs |
| Feet | £13,500 | Fractured tarsal bones, in both feet, causing significant disability. |
| Ear | £11,000 | The loss of one ear. |
| Face | £11,000 | Multiple fractures to the face (Le Forte types 1 and 2) |
| Pelvis | £11,000 | Continuing significant disability from a fractured pelvis. |
We have also mentioned that criminal injuries compensation amounts awarded via the CICA could attract compensation for certain financial losses and costs. If you would like to check your eligibility to claim such compensation, we could go through the eligibility criteria with you to check whether you could claim. We could also help you work out which injuries you could include within your claim if you have suffered multiple injuries. Simply call our team for free legal advice and guidance.
Make A No Win No Fee Criminal Injury Claim
If you’re eligible to claim criminal injury compensation, you might benefit from enlisting a solicitor to represent your case, especially if you’ve never been through the claims process before. Our solicitors in particular can do the following to help you:
- Correspond with the defendant so you don’t have to.
- Ensure the decided criminal injuries compensation amounts are fair and accurate.
- Sort out your legal representation if your claim goes to court.
- Explain legal jargon.
- Send regular case updates.
- Ensure the claim is filed within the time limit.
On top of that, our No Win No Fee solicitors could offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
If you work with one of our solicitors under a CFA, you will not have to pay for the work they will do for you:
- Upfront.
- Throughout the claims process.
- If the claim is unsuccessful.
If the claim is successful, you still won’t have to pay your solicitor for their work directly out of pocket. Instead, your solicitor will keep a small percentage of your compensation. This small percentage is called the success fee and is always capped by law, which ensures that no matter what, you will receive the majority of the compensation.
So, to learn more about CICA payment amounts and how to make a criminal injury claim in this way with assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us today for free:
- Call our 24/7 advice line on 0800 073 8801
- Speak with an advisor via the live chat function below
- Or contact us to request a free call back
Learn More About Criminal Injury Payout Amounts
This is the final section of our guide about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority maximum payout and CICA payout amounts. To help you further, we’ve provided some links to additional guides relating to criminal compensation payouts. We also offer helpful external resources. Please speak with an advisor if you require any further information.
- NHS get help – know when to get help for your symptoms and call 111.
- Report A Crime – A guide that explains the different ways in which you could report a crime to the police.
- Victim Support – A charity that aims to support the victims of crime and traumatic events.
- Assault Compensation Claims – Guidance on how you could claim compensation following a criminal assault.
- Claiming For Historical Abuse – Information on how you could be entitled to claim for historical sexual abuse outside of the CICA time limits.
- Fatal Accident Claims – This guide provides information on claiming for wrongful death and fatal accidents.
For further information on CICA payout amounts or to ask us questions about criminal injury payouts we’ve achieved previously, please contact our team.
