What is a Criminal Injuries Compensation Claim?

What Can You Claim Compensation For?

The amount of compensation you can get through the scheme is set out in what’s known as a ‘tariff of injuries’. The amount you’ll get will depend on the nature and severity of your injuries.

The CICA scheme can compensate you for:

• Psychological injuries e.g. depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD
• Physical injuries e.g. burns, broken bones, head and spinal injuries and nerve damage
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Loss of earnings if you’ve been unable to work because of your injury
• Paid expenses e.g. home adaptations or walking aids
• Special expenses and incurred costs
• Payments related to the death of a close one, including bereavement payments and funeral costs

It’s possible to claim for more than one of the above – the CICA will assess your police and medical records when calculating how much compensation you should be awarded. The amount you can claim ranges from £1,000 to £500,000, depending on how serious your injuries are and the effect it’s had on your life.

Who Can Make a CICA Claim?

Anyone who has been a victim of a violent crime can apply to make a CICA claim as long as they meet the eligibility criteria:

• The crime must have happened in England, Wales or Scotland
• The crime must have been reported to the police
• You meet the nationality requirements

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible to make a criminal injuries compensation claim, our Criminal Injury Solicitors can advise you on your best course of action.

Time Limits for Making a CICA Claim 

You have two years from when the crime took place to make a criminal injuries compensation claim. While there can be some exceptions to this time limit, it’s important to report the crime and begin the claims process as soon as you can.

The CICA will consider applications after this time limit if:

• You’re making a claim for childhood sexual abuse or physical abuse
• Your mental or physical health prevented you from making a claim sooner

We can help you gather supporting evidence to explain the delay in your application.

Victims under the age of 18 

If you were under the age of 18 when the crime happened and you reported it to the police, you can make a CICA claim up until the date of your 20th birthday. If you didn’t report your crime to the police, you can apply within 2 years of reporting the incident.

The same time limits apply if you’re a parent or guardian making a CICA claim on behalf of your child who is under 18.

How to make a CICA Claim

Our Criminal Injury Solicitors can walk you through the claims process from start to finish. While you can choose to make a claim yourself, instructing a Personal Injury Specialist will make sure you put forward the strongest case.

The criminal injuries compensation scheme is complex and many people end up settling for far less than their case is worth. Using our in-depth knowledge of the CICA scheme, we’ll make sure you’re in the best position to make a claim.

If you’d like to know more about making a criminal injuries compensation claim, please get in touch with our Criminal Injury Solicitors. We can also help you appeal a previous CICA compensation offer if we believe your claim is worth more.