Criminal Injury Solicitors

Being a victim of a violent crime is a traumatic experience that often results in a ripple effect on a person’s life. Because of the physical nature of violent crime, a victim can be affected for a prolonged period of time after the crime has taken place. The recovery period may include having to take time off work due to injuries, or having to travel to and from appointments for treatment.

If you have been the victim of a violent crime and are seeking some sort of justice, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) for any injuries you have suffered. Compensation can also be made for mental injury and mental distress.

To speak to a CICA solicitor about making a claim for compensation, contact Ramsdens Solicitors today on 0800 804 7540 or via email at CICA@ramsdens.co.uk to book a free information session at any of our offices. Alternatively, fill in our contact form and we will get back to you.

Who is the CICA?

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government organisation established to manage a compensation scheme for blameless victims of violent crimes in Great Britain. Its main role is to provide compensation for physical and / or mental injury as a direct result of a violent crime. The CICA is funded by the UK government and is designed to recognise and compensate victims who have suffered harm as a result of criminal conduct.

How Does Criminal Injury Compensation Work?

If you wish to make a claim for a criminal injury, there are a few steps that you will need to be aware of. In many ways, criminal injuries require different steps to claim compensation when compared to other types of personal injury claim. Our team of CICA specialists will lead you through the entire process so that your claim stands the best chance of success and you receive the maximum amount of compensation.

Reporting the crime to the police

The CICA requires the crime to have been reported to the police. The first step, therefore, is to make a report by calling 101. You will then hear from the police. At this point, they will begin a formal investigation, and you will be provided with a CRN (crime reference number).

This step is crucial as you are required to have a crime reference number to begin a claim with the CICA.

It is also important that the crime is reported to the police ‘as soon as reasonably practicable’. Our experienced CICA specialists will be able to advise on this step in further detail, as every case has different circumstances.

Who can make criminal injury claims?

A range of individuals can make a criminal injury compensation claim through the CICA, including:

• A person who has been physically or mentally injured as a direct result of a violent crime committed in England, Scotland, or Wales.
• A close relative of a person who has died as a result of a violent crime, for instance, to claim for bereavement or dependency.
• A person who has been injured while taking an exceptional and justified risk, typically while trying to remedy or prevent a crime.
• A person who has sustained an injury while being a direct witness to an incident or during the immediate aftermath in which a loved one is intentionally killed or seriously injured.

Please note, there are further eligibility criteria set by the CICA such as residency requirements and crime reporting obligations. For a complete understanding of your eligibility to make a claim, we strongly recommend seeking professional legal advice. Our experienced CICA specialists at Ramsdens Solicitors are available to provide you with a comprehensive assessment of your case and guide you through the claims process.

How to make a successful criminal injury claim

On your behalf, we will present your claim to the CICA by way of completion of a CICA application form.

With the sheer number of cases that the CICA outright rejects, as well as their many low-figure settlement offers, we highly encourage all victims to follow the of a CICA specialist.

At Ramsdens, we will help you to stand the best possible chance of your claim being accepted by the CICA and ensure that you receive the greatest amount of compensation possible.

What’s more, our team of specialists will handle the entire process of your CICA claim. We will correspond with the CICA, negotiate on your behalf and ensure that the CICA meets its responsibilities.

Do I need a CICA specialist to make a criminal injury claim?

While it is not a legal requirement to hire the services of specialist solicitors to make a criminal injury claim, it is highly recommended. The CICA claims process can be complex and requires careful handling to maximise the chances of a successful outcome.

CICA specialists can provide invaluable guidance and expertise, ensuring that the application is accurately completed, that sufficient evidence is gathered, and that all eligibility requirements are met. Furthermore, they can advise you on the appropriate amount of compensation to claim based on your unique circumstances, help you understand the legal jargon involved, and provide emotional support during this challenging time.

At Ramsdens Solicitors, our experienced team of criminal injury lawyers can provide comprehensive advice and support to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. We understand the physical and emotional trauma that can result from violent crime, and we are here to guide you through every step of the claims process with compassion and sensitivity.

What is the criminal injury compensation claims process?

The process of making a compensation claim through the CICA involves several steps:

1. Eligibility check: before initiating a claim, it is important to establish whether you are eligible. Eligibility factors include reporting the incident to the police promptly, the nature of the injuries sustained, and whether the incident occurred within the last two years.
2. Application submission: the next step is to fill out and submit the application form to the CICA. This process requires comprehensive details about the crime, your injuries, and any impact on your life.
3. Application assessment: the CICA will then assess your application, which may involve reviewing police reports, medical evidence, and possibly requesting further information.
4. Compensation calculation: if your application is approved, the CICA will calculate your compensation based on the severity of your injuries and the impact on your life.
5. Award offer and acceptance: the CICA will then make an offer of compensation. If you accept the offer, the CICA will arrange payment. If you disagree with the amount, there is an opportunity to request a review.

How much compensation can I claim for a criminal injury?

The amount of compensation you may claim for a criminal injury varies greatly as it is based on the specifics of your case, including the type and severity of your injury, any loss of earnings you may have suffered, and the impact of the crime on your life.

What kind of compensation can I receive through the CICA?

The compensation received through the CICA is primarily for the injury itself. However, it may also include elements such as:

1. Physical and mental injuries: this is compensation for the injury itself, calculated based on a tariff system set by the CICA, which specifies amounts for different types of injuries.
2. Loss of earnings: if you have been unable to work, or will be unable to work in the future as a result of your injuries, you may be eligible to claim for loss of earnings. This is subject to certain conditions, including that you have been off work for more than 28 weeks as a result of the injury.
3. Special damages: these are costs that you have incurred as a result of the crime. They may include medical expenses, care costs or adaptations needed for your home. However, these are only compensated if the injury is so severe that you have no capacity to work.

Is there a limit on the amount of compensation I can receive through the CICA?

The CICA operates on a tariff system, which determines the amount of compensation awarded based on the severity of the injury or harm experienced. The minimum amount of compensation that can be awarded is £1,000. The maximum amount of compensation that can be received through the CICA is £500,000.

How long do I have to make a criminal injury claim?

There are a number of time-sensitive factors that victims must be aware of when making a CICA claim.

Specifically, the CICA requires a claim to be made within two years from the date of the incident or the report conducted by the police.

If a victim is under the age of 18 years old, then the time period begins on the day of their 18th birthday. Or the time limit will run for two years after a police report is made after the incident.

The CICA is also able to extend time limits for exceptional or extenuating circumstances in which the victim was unable to apply within the regular time frame.

How long does it take to claim criminal injury compensation?

The duration of the criminal injury claims process varies from case to case and is dependent on several factors including the complexity of the case, the severity of the injury, and how quickly necessary evidence is provided. It is not uncommon for claims to take several years and, more complex cases may take longer.

We understand the urgency and importance of receiving your compensation and will work diligently to ensure that your claim is processed as swiftly and efficiently as possible, providing you with updates and support throughout the entire process.

How to reopen an old criminal injury compensation claim

If you have had a previous case with the CICA, whether successful or unsuccessful, it may be possible to reopen your case.

In situations where a victim’s injuries/lasting effects are more pronounced than what was first thought, the CICA may agree to reopen an old case. In this event, additional medical evidence will need to be provided so that additional compensation can be made.

We have successfully won clients additional awards from the CICA on several occasions. With previous accurate assessments for ongoing physical and psychological trauma, our team can advise on all issues and can assess the viability to proceed with a reopened case.

Why choose Ramsdens Solicitors for your criminal injury compensation claim

At Ramsdens, we are proud to have Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority specialists that are incredibly well-qualified to tackle all claims sent to the CICA.

With our years of knowledge and successful claims, our team is well-versed in the CICA process and knows how best to maximise your compensation.

CICA claims can be a delicate act of balance. Most are not familiar with the level of scrutiny and juggling of requirements asked by the CICA. So, with medical treatment, timescales, valuations and paperwork to consider, our team is ready and willing to take the pressure away from victims and focus all of our energy on the claim.

Our team has been incredibly successful in achieving compensation for victims via the CICA. With experts in the claims process, we will be able to confidently achieve success for your case, even in the most complex of situations.

Choose Ramsdens for:

• Expert CICA specialists
• Dedicated CICA correspondence
• Timely and scheduled case management
• A knowledgeable reopen case team

FAQs about criminal injury solicitors

What is a criminal injury claim?

A criminal injury claim is a type of legal claim made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) seeking compensation for physical or mental injuries suffered as a result of a violent crime. This type of claim is intended to provide financial compensation to victims who have been physically or psychologically harmed by criminal actions, and the compensation can be used to cover costs such as medical bills, loss of income, and any ongoing care or support required.

What types of crimes are covered under the CICA?

The CICA covers a broad spectrum of violent crimes, including but not limited to:

1. Physical assaults such as battery or wounding
2. Sexual assaults and other sex crimes
3. Domestic violence and abuse
4. Hate crimes
5. Homicide, in which case the relatives of the victim can claim
6. Terrorism-related incidents

It is important to remember that the crime must have been reported to the police promptly for a claim to be valid.

What happens if the person who committed the crime cannot pay the compensation?

The compensation provided by the CICA is not dependent on the person who committed the crime. The CICA is a government-funded scheme designed to compensate innocent victims of violent crime, regardless of whether the perpetrator can pay compensation, or even if the perpetrator has not been identified or convicted. The CICA is funded by the UK government, so the ability of the criminal to pay does not impact the compensation you receive.

Each case is unique and your individual circumstances can affect the claim process and the amount of compensation awarded.