How does this work?
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government funded scheme designed to compensate victims of violent crime in Great Britain. You may be entitled to such compensation if a violent crime has taken place, and you:
- Have been physically or mentally injured as a result
- suffered sexual or physical abuse
- suffered loss of earnings due to not being able to work, or have incurred costs as a direct result of your injury
- Have witnessed a crime happen to a loved one or have been present for the immediate aftermath, or
- You have paid for the funeral expenses for someone who has died as a result of the crime.
When do I need to make my claim?
If you meet the eligibility criteria above and wish to make a claim, you must submit your application within 2 years of the date of the incident. However, in any event, the crime must have been reported to the police beforehand for your application to even be considered.
How do I claim?
Our experienced team can assist you with pursuing your CICA claim, including preparing the application on your behalf and advising you on the CICA’s decision following their investigations.
As part of the preparation, an appointment will be held with one of our Specialists where you will have the opportunity to discuss the matter in more depth, including the injuries sustained and any treatment you have received as a result of the crime. As soon as we have gathered all necessary information, we will then submit an application to the CICA on your behalf.
If compensation is awarded, the level of any award can vary from £1,000 to £500,000 depending on the nature and severity of the injuries.
If you think you might be entitled to compensation through the CICA, please feel free to call our Specialists on 02920 470909.