If you wish to pursue a claim for criminal injuries compensation, the claim will be processed via the new scheme. The new scheme will no longer provide any level of personal injury compensation to those victims who have suffered ‘minor injuries’ such as claims made by people who have suffered injuries such as a broken nose, broken cheek bone or lost/damaged teeth.

Another change to the scheme is the alteration to the level of income loss a claimant can claim for. In Personal Injury claims, loss of income comes under ‘special damages ‘ and can be claimed for in full – dependent on a claimant proving their loss of income. Previously, the Criminal Injuries scheme allowed a claimant to claim loss of income, only if they were out of work for a period of 26 weeks (half a year) or more. The new scheme states that a claimant must still be out of work for 26 weeks or more to claim loss of income, but rather than compensate the claimant for their loss of income at the rate that they usually earn, they will now only settle the loss of income claim at the rate of statutory sickness pay. This means that if you previously earned a large salary and were then beaten to the point that you could no longer work, whilst you may get a compensation figure from the Criminal Injuries scheme, your loss of income will be capped at the rate of £60 odd pounds weekly.

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What is CICA?

CICA is a government funded scheme which enables victims of crime to receive compensation for their injuries. You can also claim for loss of earnings if you have been off work for at least 6 months. Road traffic offences and damages for loss of property are excluded. The current scheme was introduced on 27/11/12 and is more restrictive than in previous years.

You can claim for either physical or psychological injuries, whether the injury was deliberate or accidental.

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

Victims of violence in a family will receive compensation as long as the offender will not benefit from this award.

What are the requirements that I have to meet?

To qualify for compensation:

• The injury must have occurred in England, Scotland or Wales
• You must report the accident to the police
• You must bring your claim within 2 years
• You must have received the injury as a result of a crime
• Your injury must be sufficiently serious to require at least two appointments with a medical practitioner

How can you help me apply for compensation?

We can advise you on the best way to pursue your claim and estimate the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to.

We can complete the CICA form and liaise with CICA on your behalf, leading to us negotiating the amount of compensation for you.

The compensation award will be based on a fixed tariff. There are guidelines set as to what each injury is worth. We will argue for the highest possible award.

Does it matter that I provoked the attack?

Yes it does. CICA can reduce or withhold your compensation if they feel your behaviour led to the attack, for example if you provoked the attacker.

Further, you cannot have any previous convictions or be of dubious character. Deductions of between 10% and 100% are made in respect of these factors.

How much will this cost me?

You only pay us if you are successful in your application. The amount is usually 25% of your compensation.

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