Criminal Injuries / Assault / Abuse Claims

Suffering an injury as a result of a criminal act can be very distressing, both physically and emotionally. Some criminal injuries can be so severe that they leave their victims suffering from long lasting physical and/or psychological damage as a result.

At Fosters we are renowned for our understanding of the issues affecting you and your family due to a criminal act and we know how compensation can help you to put your distress behind you. It is for this reason that Fosters take a proactive approach at every stage in order to obtain maximum compensation for you as swiftly as possible.

Our solicitors offer the highest level of professionalism and expertise, combined with dedication and sensitivity. We have dealt with cases which range from victims losing teeth in a street fight to victims who have suffered severe psychological injury as a result of extensive abuse.

At Fosters we understand that contacting a lawyer might seem like a big step especially if you have not done so before. That is why we have made it easy for you to contact us for some free initial advice regarding your potential claim. Simply contact us by using our freephone number, e-mail or enquiry form at the bottom of this page.

The Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA)

The CICA is a Government body set up to compensate victims of violent crimes for their injuries. The CICA can make awards for injuries and other losses up to the value of £500,000.

You can make a claim provided that:

you were injured in England and Wales after 1st April 1964; you were injured as a result of a violent crime; you make a claim to the CICA within two years of the incident (this can be waived in some circumstances).

However, the CICA can reduce or withhold an award if the victim:

contributed to his or her injury as a result of their conduct or behaviour; fails to co-operate with the police in the prosecution of the offender (although a prosecution is not always necessary); has a significant criminal record.

By working with you and the CICA, our team can achieve a fair criminal injuries compensation package for the losses you have suffered. If during the course of our investigation we find you have grounds for other legal action, we will, of course, keep you informed. Other legal actions may include an application to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau combined with an application to the CICA or it may be that we can sue the person responsible for causing your injury in a civil claim for assault.

Even if an offender is not identified, caught or convicted, a successful claim can still be made to the CICA, so before you make assumptions about the likely success or failure of your case, let us look into things for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority?

2. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, commonly known as the CICA, is a public fund of money available to compensate victims of crimes of violence. This includes people who have been attacked, domestic violence victims, victims of sexual abuse, fatal cases and shaken baby victims. Awards can be made where only psychological injury has been inflicted.

3. Are there conditions attached to an Application?

4. Yes there are conditions attached to an application. The CICA will want to be satisfied that: The applicant was the victim of a crime of violence. The applicant reported the matter to the police as soon as possible. The applicant co-operated with any further police enquiries or investigations.

5. How do I apply?

6. There is an application form to be completed providing details of the assault and surrounding matters.

7. Do I have to pay?

8. There is no fee payable to the CICA. The CICA does not pay a solicitor’s costs for helping and advising with regard to the application. It may be the solicitor's costs will be deducted from the compensation. Public Funding is available for making an Application to the CICA if you satisfy the financial criteria which means nothing will be deducted from the award. Fosters make many applications under the Public Funding scheme.

9. What happens then?

10. If the application satisfies the set criteria, the CICA will begin to make investigations. Reports will be obtained and statements taken from relevant police officers. Confirmation of injuries will be obtained from medical records or a medical report. Details of out of pocket expenses and losses will be requested.

    Once the CICA has sufficient information to make an award, the applicant will be advised in writing of the amount of the proposed award.

11. How much will I get?

12. The awards are made in accordance with the CICA tariff scheme which allocates specific awards to specific injuries. The minimum award that can be made is £1,000 and the maximum is £500,000. If more than one injury is inflicted, compensation will be payable in respect of the separate injuries - 100% of the tariff amount will be awarded for the most severe injury, 30% for the second most severe and 15% for the third.

13. Time limits

14. An application must be submitted within two years of the crime of violence taking place, although it is possible in certain circumstances to request that the deadline be waived.

15. Appeal

16. Once an award has been made it is possible to seek a review of the amount awarded. The CICA will pass the application to a senior case worker who will consider the review and make a further decision. If the decision is still one which the applicant does not accept, an appeal hearing before the CICA Appeals Panel can be requested.

Personal Injury Team