Compensation for victims of criminal injuries
If you have been injured as a result of a crime, you may be able to make a criminal injury compensation claim with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), a Government scheme which compensates blameless victims of violent crime.
A violent crime is a physical attack, a threat causing fear of immediate violence, arson or a sexual assault. Compensation may be paid for mental or physical injury, loss of earnings or bereavements.
Making a criminal injury claim
To make a criminal injury claim, you must meet the following criteria:
- The crime must have occurred in Great Britain
- You must have been resident in the UK on the date of the incident
- You must have reported the incident to the Police and co-operated with them
The crime must also have occurred in the last two years, except if you are under 18 years old at the time of the incident. In these circumstances, if the crime was reported to the Police prior to your 18th birthday then you have until your 20th birthday to make an application. If the incident was reported to the Police after your 18th birthday then you have two years from the date of the Police report to make an application.
How can we help with your claim?
At Nelsons, we have a team of specialist solicitors who are experienced in handling applications to the CICA and are able to advise you further on whether you have a criminal injury compensation claim and how to proceed.
Our team of experts are members of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel – a specialist qualification held by experienced personal injury solicitors – and are recommended by the independently-researched Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.