Criminal injury claims

If you have suffered physical or mental injuries as a result of violent crime we can help you claim compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (‘CICA’).

Contact one of our specialist personal injury lawyers for a free initial consultation to find out if we consider you are entitled to compensation from the CICA.

When can you make a criminal injury compensation claim?

Violent crime can have a lasting and serious impact, both physically and psychologically, and can be difficult to talk about. However, we are here to help you claim compensation for the injuries you have sustained and to aid your recovery.

The CICA is a government body tasked with compensating the victims of violent crime for the injuries they have suffered.

To succeed in a criminal injury compensation claim you need to meet strict criteria. For example, the violent crime must have happened in England, Scotland or Wales. The application should be made within two years of the incident, although some can be pursued after this deadline.

How do I make a criminal injury compensation claim?

If you have been a victim of a crime and suffered an injury, you may be eligible to make a criminal injury compensation claim. Firstly, you should report the crime to the police as soon as possible and get a crime reference number. You should also seek medical attention and keep records of any treatment received. Then, you can contact the CICA and request an application form. You will need to provide information about the crime, your injuries, and any financial losses you have suffered as a result. The process can be complex, so we recommend that you seek advice from a Personal Injury lawyer who specialises in criminal injury compensation claims.

Our Personal Injury team will provide a free initial consultation, advising you on whether you have a claim and the best way to proceed. Our lawyers will gather evidence to help us to prove your eligibility for an award, the injuries you have suffered and the past and future financial losses you have incurred. We will then submit the application to the CICA. If the application is rejected, we will advise you on the CICA’s decision and whether it should be appealed. If the CICA awards you criminal injury compensation, we will advise you on the sum awarded and whether we consider the CICA has calculated the award appropriately. Again, we will advise you whether the decision should be appealed. We will liaise with the CICA throughout and guide you through the process.

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

If you are an adult, you usually have two years from the date of the criminal injury to make an application to the CICA for compensation.

If the crime has been reported to police when the victim was still a child, the application can be made at any point before the child’s twentieth birthday.

In certain circumstances – such as if a person lacks mental capacity – a claim may be allowed to proceed even if time has run out.

However, the important point to stress is that there is a time limit and that a claim, irrespective of its apparent merit, can become time barred. We therefore advise that you contact us about your potential case as soon as possible.

What compensation can you claim from the CICA?

Awards made by the CICA for criminal injuries are limited to up to £500,000. The amount you can claim is calculated according to specific guidelines set out in the CICA scheme. Provided the case meets the criteria, you may be able to claim compensation for:

• The injuries sustained
• Loss of earnings
• Other expenses (e.g. care and treatment if it is unavailable on the NHS).

You may can be refused compensation or have your reward reduced for a number of reasons including if you:

• Have a criminal record
• Fail to cooperate with the police.

What costs are involved?

You will have to pay your own legal costs from the compensation you recover – you cannot recover these legal costs from the CICA in addition to your compensation.

We may be prepared to offer you a ‘contingency fee agreement’ to fund your claim, under which we would only be paid by you, from your damages, if the application to the CICA is successful.

It may be possible to sue the person that injured you personally if they have the means to pay any compensation you are awarded in the civil courts. In those circumstances you would be able to claim some of your legal costs as well as your compensation from the defendant.

How our personal injury lawyers can help with your injury caused by violent crime claim

• The breadth of experience in our personal injury solicitors means it is likely that we have recovered compensation in a case with similar circumstances to yours
• You will have support and expert service from a Personal Injury lawyer who is experienced in dealing with criminal injury compensation claims following a violent crime
• We will assist and advise you with your application for compensation
• We will focus on your individual requirements. Giving a personal service and acting with sensitivity are important to us
• We will advise you carefully and clearly about the legal costs that would be deducted from any compensation you receive from the
• CICA
• We will work tenaciously to achieve a positive outcome.

Free initial consultation

Contact our team of specialist personal injury lawyers for a free, no obligation, consultation and we will listen to the circumstances of your accident before giving you clear advice on the chance of you recovering compensation. If we think you have a claim we can investigate your case using the financial security of a contingency fee agreement.

Call us or fill in our short enquiry form and we will assess your potential claim.

Have you been injured and think someone else was to blame? Our team of expert personal injury solicitors in Kent can help you claim the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to see if we can investigate your case with the financial security of a “no win no fee” agreement.

Our personal injury lawyers are here to help you every step of the way. We work in a supportive, considered and clear manner to ensure you get the compensation you need to rebuild your life. If possible, we will help you to access rehabilitation, medical care and support to maximise your recovery.

Our personal injury lawyers have dealt with thousands of personal injury cases, covering all areas of personal injury law, with many cases worth millions of pounds. With a wealth of experience, our team of personal injury lawyers has most likely already dealt with a case similar to yours. We have outstanding knowledge in this field and can offer clear, pragmatic advice.

We are frequently instructed in cases involving:

• Traumatic brain injuries of varying severity
• Serious orthopaedic and spinal injuries
• Functional neurological disorders (“FND”)
• Audio-vestibular injury
• Injuries affecting the senses, most commonly eye injuries
• Injuries to internal organs
• Burns and scarring
• Psychiatric injuries including post-traumatic stress disorder
• Chronic pain
• Mesothelioma, asbestosis and/or pleural thickening resulting from asbestos exposure.

One of our specialist personal injury solicitors will handle your compensation claim and that lawyer will be involved in your case from start to finish. You will have your personal injury lawyer’s direct dial telephone number and email address so you will be able to contact your lawyer without difficulty.

Our personal injury compensation solicitors are available for face-to-face meetings at our accessible office in Tunbridge Wells, and by phone. For more information and to see if you have a personal injury claim worth pursuing, call us or fill in our short enquiry form and we will assess your claim.

For more information and to see if you have a personal injury claim worth pursuing, call us or fill in our short enquiry form and we will assess your claim.