Personal Injury
Criminal Injury
If you have been a blameless victim of violence, experienced physical injury and/or psychological trauma as a result of a violent crime or other incidents in which you have suffered from criminal injury within the last 2 years, you may be entitled to seek criminal injuries compensation.
Our expert lawyers have helped many clients claim criminal injury compensation after a range of different incidents, often through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) scheme.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is a government organisation which can pay compensation to people who have been physically or mentally injured because they were the blameless victim of a violent crime via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme which is a government funded scheme.
It is possible for a victim to apply directly to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. However having our professional team take care of things for you presents peace of mind, a saving of time, it provides professional guidance to secure a successful criminal injuries compensation pay out and to advise on an appeal of an unfavourable decision by the CICA.
What is the process for making a criminal injury claim?
To make a claim for Criminal Injury Compensation, you will need to contact us. Firstly, we will assess your claim and we will make a decision on whether you have reasonable prospects of successfully pursuing a CICA claim via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
The process for making a claim is that an Application Form will need to be submitted to the CICA for them to assess whether you satisfy their criteria for a compensation award. Thereafter, the CICA will investigate your claim to include obtaining the police incident report into the incident, witness statements, your medical records, request additional information from you and evidence in relation to your injuries and associated financial losses e.g. loss of earnings before making a final decision.
The criteria for making a claim is as follows:
- You must be a blameless victim of the criminal incident e.g. not provoked the incident.
- You must have reported the incident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, normally this will mean immediately following the incident.
- You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK on the date of the incident.
- You must generally not have a criminal record otherwise the CICA may either refuse or reduce the amount of the award even though you were blameless in the incident.
- You must cooperate with the CICA in the application process and in the provision of information requested by the CICA.
The length of time needed to assess the claim will vary depending on how complicated it is. Complex cases may take longer to decide.
The incident has to have happened in the England, Wales or Scotland. We can provide advice if the incident happened outside of these areas, please call us to discuss if this is the case.
Yes, the incident has to have been reported to the police at the time for a claim to be eligible.
It is not necessary for the person who injured you to be identified or convicted, in order for you to get a payment. However, the CICA expect you to have done everything reasonably possible to help the police catch your assailant and bring them to justice.
As a general rule the incident needs to have taken place in the last 2 years prior to the claim being submitted to the CICA. There are some cases where this would be assessed, for example, if the injuries were too severe for the first 2 years for you to be able to make a claim. This is up to an adjudicator to decide and is on a case by case basis.
Make a claim
What is the process for making a claim?
Initial Consultations
Here we will discuss your claim with you and the circumstances surrounding the claim. At this stage, we will assess whether we think that you have a case.
Information Gathering
We will send you to an Independent Medical advisor to assess your injuries. Our team of experienced lawyers will also investigate the circumstances around your case, and will gather information relevant to your claim.
Rehabilitation
We will work with you and our independent medical advisors to determine the best course of rehabilitation for your injuries.
Compensation
Jiva Solicitors will work out how much compensation you are entitled to, taking into account the severity of your injuries, your pain, loss of earnings, medical expenses, travel expenses, any mobility aids / or mobility adaptations to your home.
Settlement
If successful in the claim, this is where you will be awarded the compensation.
We provide a free initial advice and no obligation service.
Please contact us on 0207 290 0400 / 01204 589090 or alternatively, please click here to complete an enquiry form.
Jiva Solicitors
Call us today on 020 7290 0400 or contact us via email at sp@jivasolicitors.co.uk to arrange a free initial consultation about your claim.
We’ll advise on whether we think you have a case and discuss your options.
