Criminal Injury Compensation
If you’re a crime victim or the survivor of a crime, you may be eligible to receive compensation. This will help you pay for things like medical treatment, funeral costs, and loss of earnings. Victims and their families should apply without delay. Compensation decisions are made on a balance of probabilities and do not need to await the outcome of criminal proceedings. If you want to hire a solicitor for criminal injury compensation in Manchester, visit the United Solicitors website.
What is CICA?
If you have been injured, or a close relative has died as a result of a violent crime and have reported the incident to the police, you may be eligible for compensation. The scheme reimburses victims for expenses such as medical treatment and other out-of-pocket costs caused by the crime.
Each state has its own crime victim compensation program to pay some of the out-of-pocket expenses associated with a crime. This includes medical bills, counseling costs and lost wages. However, most states set limits on how much they will reimburse a victim and what types of expenses are covered.
CICA offers a different type of compensation than the states, though the rules and requirements are similar. The only difference is that victims must meet certain criteria, including being a direct victim of an eligible criminal injury. This includes crimes of violence, as defined by the Scheme, which occurred in England, Scotland, Wales or another’relevant place’.
You should apply as soon as possible. We will decide whether you are entitled to compensation on the basis of evidence available. This is not the same as a criminal court, where we must be satisfied that an offender committed the crime ‘beyond reasonable doubt’. We do not have to wait for the outcome of a criminal trial before making an award, but you should consider using an advocate to help with your application.
Who is eligible for CICA?
The CICA provides compensation to blameless victims of violent crime in England, Scotland and Wales. They will consider your application if you suffered a serious injury which prevented you from working or caused a significant impact on your daily activities and quality of life. They can pay a range of expenses such as loss of earnings, care and medical expenses.
The criminal injuries scheme is separate from a conviction against your attacker or an ongoing criminal trial, but they are similar in nature as it’s often not possible to get a court judgment awarded. It’s important to seek specialist advice as it is not unusual for a case to be rejected at first instance by the CICA.
Claims can be made for a victim’s own injuries or if they are applying on behalf of someone else, such as a child or someone incapable of filing the claim themselves. It’s important that you report the offence to the police as soon as reasonably possible after the crime.
The CICA have time limits in place and will reject any applications submitted more than two years after the date of the incident. It is possible in exceptional circumstances for the CICA to extend this period, but it is essential that you do not delay as the longer you leave it the more difficult it will be to overcome a refusal at the first instance.
How can I make a claim?
To make a successful claim, you must be the victim of a crime and that crime should have caused you injury or loss. The criminal act must have occurred in England, Scotland or Wales and the injuries must be a result of it.
The incident must have been reported to the Police and you must co-operate fully with them throughout your case. If you fail to do this, your claim could be rejected by the CICA.
You must also provide medical evidence in order to prove that you suffered injuries as a result of the incident. These medical records will be used by a claims officer to calculate the amount of compensation you receive. In addition to this, you can also claim for special expenses such as funeral costs and care costs.
In some cases, you may be able to make a civil claim directly against the perpetrator or vicariously liable party for your injuries and losses. However, this is not always possible and will depend on the circumstances of your case.
If you are thinking about making a claim for CICA, it is recommended that you seek legal advice as soon as possible to ensure that you have the best chance of success. A solicitor who specialises in CICA claims should be able to guide you through the process. They will also be able to help you with any questions or concerns that you might have.
How much can I claim?
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) awards victims a maximum of £160,000 for the physical and mental injuries they suffer. They can also claim for loss of earnings and other specified costs incurred as a result of their crime. The CICA scheme was created to give victims recognition and compensation for the trauma they have endured as a consequence of their experience with the criminal justice system.
Victims can also receive an award to cover the cost of medical treatment. This can include psychological counselling. In addition, the programme may pay up to £3,000 towards expenses related to crime damage and cleaning if they are not covered by home insurance or another source of funding. They will only receive these payments if the perpetrator of their injury is identified and prosecuted.
In addition, the CICA will consider paying for expenses related to travel and accommodation if it is necessary for the victim to attend court proceedings. They will only pay for this if appropriate documentation is provided to prove the cost. The programme will also consider an award for lost earnings if the injury means that they are unable to work due to their injuries. This will be assessed by a doctor and will be calculated according to their disability rating.
It is advisable to seek legal representation when applying for CICA as they can ensure the best evidence is submitted to support your case. They will also be able to ensure that any deadlines are not missed and the best outcome is achieved for you.
