Criminal Injuries Compensation

If you suffered an injury as a result of a violent crime or criminal activity within Scotland, England or Wales, you may be eligible to claim compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). A common misconception being that the C.I.C.A. will pay you money if you are a British Citizen who is a victim of crime abroad.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) was established in 1964 to manage the criminal injuries compensation scheme in Britain. It is responsible for the administering of criminal injury compensation to those who have been injured as a result of crime. Since its introduction it has provided some tangible acknowledgement of society's sympathy for innocent victims of violent crime.

The scheme may pay compensation even if the offender is not convicted of the crime causing your injury and even if the offender is not identified or caught.

The minimum amount which CICA payout is £1,000 and the maximum amount you can receive in criminal injury compensation after all losses and expenses have been considered is £500,000. There are some simple guidelines to judge whether you have a possible UK criminal injury claim that qualifies for an award from the criminal injuries compensation scheme. The CICA is government-funded and has strict guidelines about awarding compensation for criminal injuries; however, the CICA exists to compensate victims who qualify. In most instances, if you have the correct documentation regarding your criminal injury and you can demonstrate that you meet the requirements to receive compensation, then your claim will succeed.

To make a claim for criminal injury compensation you MUST have:

• been assaulted or injured in some way covered by the scheme and physically and/or mentally injured as a result
• been injured seriously enough to qualify for at least the minimum award available under the Scheme
• received documented medical attention for your injuries
• been a dependant or relative of someone who died as a result of a crime
• reported the incident to the police within 48 hours
• forwarded your application within 2 years from the date of the incident

You can receive compensation for either a physical or psychological injury. You can also claim whether your injury was deliberate or accidental; for example, if you were pushed to the ground by a criminal fleeing the scene and suffered a head injury or broken bones.

People who have lost a spouse, partner, child or parent to a fatal criminal injury can also claim compensation.

The injury must have occurred in England, Scotland or Wales and you must report the crime to the police (normally straight away) and then co-operate with the police while they investigate the incident. In most cases you must initiate your claim within two years of the incident, although exceptions may be made.

The CICA can withhold or reduce a compensation award if they feel your behavior may have led to the attack; for example if you initiated a fight or goaded the attacker.