CICA Claims: Criminal Injury Compensation

CICA claims

The Ministry of Justice Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government body whose aim is to compensate those who have been physically or psychologically injured due to being an innocent victim of a violent crime or abuse. If you have been a victim of a criminal injury, you may be entitled to claim compensation using the CICA scheme and our solicitors can assist you through the process.

Entitlement to CICA compensation

Victims of crimes may be entitled to make a compensation claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme. Some of the most common types of claim made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme include those made by victims of assault (whether that be Actual Bodily Harm or Grievous Bodily Harm), victims of domestic abuse, victims of crimes (including an act of terrorism, a loved one being murdered, and human trafficking), victims of sexual abuse, and those who have been subject to a threat of violence which has subsequently caused a psychological injury.

If you have been the victim of a violent crime and have suffered a physical or psychological injury as a result you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our registered office today on 0330 1332 857 to discuss your claim and receive legal advice from our dedicated team of experienced CICA solicitors.

The CICA claims process

Criminal Injury claims go through a three stage process as outlined below.

The first stage is called the Initial Stage. This is the point at which any compensation claims are submitted to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. Police and medical evidence to support the compensation claim, alongside your personal information, will be submitted to the authority at this stage. Once the evidence has been reviewed, the authority will decide whether to give a compensation award to the victim of a violent crime. The amount of compensation to be awarded will also be determined at this stage.

The second stage is called the Review Stage. This stage is relevant if the claimant disagrees with the decision that has been made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. There are time limits in which an application for a review must be submitted; the application must be submitted within 56 days of the initial decision. During the review stage further evidence may need to be provided and a different person within the authority will reassess the claim for compensation and decide whether or not the claim should be successful.

The third and final stage is called the Appeal Stage. If, after the review process the claimant is still not happy with the decision made by the CICA, an appeal can be submitted to the CICA tribunal. The tribunal will review the evidence and make a final decision regarding the claim submitted.

What are the time limits for making a CICA claim?

There are strict time limits for compensation claims made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. CICA claims must be made within 2 years from the date of the crime.

It must be noted, however, that there are some exceptions to this 2 year time limit:

For criminal injury claims involving children, the 2 year time limit does not apply. Instead, a claim can be made at any point before the child’s 20th birthday.

Victims of historical child abuse have 2 years from the date the abuse was reported to the police as an adult in which to begin their claim.

In exceptional circumstances CICA may relax the time limits for making a claim if there is a good reason for doing so. This could be relevant if the claimant lacks the mental capacity to bring their claim, for example.

How much compensation could you receive?

The amount of compensation awarded will depend on the type of injuries suffered and how severe the injuries are. As well as providing compensation for the injury suffered, an amount of compensation may also be awarded for any financial loss caused. This could include a loss of earnings, or costs incurred through medical care.

How Beacon Law can assist you

Whilst pursuing a CICA claim on a no win no fee basis, our dedicated team of experienced solicitors can be your source of support until you have received compensation that you deserve. We are well versed on assisting with CICA claims and have a gret track record of success in these types of claims. We will provide you with the advice, support and assistance you need through the process.

We can also assist on other types of personal injury claims, including accidents at work, road traffic accidents and accidents in public places.

Beacon Law are authorised and regulated by the solicitors regulation authority of England and Wales.