The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government funded body set up to compensate innocent victims of crimes of violence. It can make a wide range of awards, valued anywhere between £1,000 to £250,000.
Claims made to the CICA do not follow the usual court process, but instead are governed by a scheme set up in 2012. Full details and guidance are available on the CICA website, but in very general terms, in order to be eligible to make an application for compensation under the CICA scheme you must have been:-
- A victim of a crime of violence or of an individual taking exceptional risk
- Physically and/or mentally injured as a result
- In England, Scotland or Wales at the time when the injury was sustained
- Injured seriously enough to qualify for at least the minimum award under the scheme or be the dependent or a relative of a victim of a crime of violence who has since died as a result of a crime of violence
- Have reported the matter personally to the police. This is an essential requirement and any failure to report will result in the case being turned down by the CICA. There must also be no delay in reporting the crime to the police, unless there is a reasonable explanation (for example, your injuries were too severe)
- Applied to the CICA within 2 years of the date of the incident. Again, the time limit must be complied with.
To find out more about what is involved, click on the links below, or give us a call on 0800 0891 331. One of our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to chat things through, free of charge and with no obligation.
You do not actually need legal advice or representation in order to apply for compensation under the CICA scheme, and application forms are available to download from the CICA website.
If you are unsure if you have a valid claim, contact our specialist lawyers today for FREE legal advice on 0800 0891 331.
