Criminal Injury Solicitors & CICA Claims.

The CICA can award compensation ranging from £1,000 to £500,000.

The award you can receive for your criminal injury is calculated based on the CICA tariff, which accounts for both physical and psychological distress caused by the event.

Additional compensation can be awarded for Special Damages, which include all expenses and losses you have incurred as a result of your injury. This includes medical expenses, loss of earnings, and costs of adaptations to home and vehicles amongst others.

You may also claim Bereavement Payments for the loss of a loved one following a criminal injury, which is valued at £11,000.

If you have gone through the process of claiming compensation for a criminal injury with CICA and feel like your claim has been undervalued, there are ways to contest the decision.

The first step to take involves applying for a review of your case. You may then begin an appeal if you feel like CICA has undervalued your claim because of an incorrect application of the law or misunderstanding of the facts of the case.

It is important to note that you cannot appeal a CICA decision on the sole basis that you are unhappy with the amount of compensation you have been awarded. You must prove a fundamental error in the application of the law.

The time limit to apply for an appeal with CICA is 90 days from the receipt of the review decision letter. You may be able to extend this time limit for reasons such as the need for additional medical reports.

Appeals for CICA decisions are made through the First-Tier Tribunal, which is a separate, independent entity to CICA. They will only look into the CICA’s application of the law, to ensure it is correct and fair.

You may, after the application, receive a response from the CICA to which you must respond within one month. The Tribunal will review your application and the responses, and set a hearing with a Judge if they believe you have a reasonable case.

The Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme 2012 defines the term “Crime of Violence” in Annex B. This is considered any crime that involves:

• A physical attack
• Any violent act causing physical injury to a person
• Threat of immediate physical violence
• Sexual assault
• Arson

Other circumstances may bring an act to be considered a crime of violence, and some exceptions may apply to cases that would otherwise be considered violent crimes (such as injuries caused by vehicles or animals).

Some applications for Criminal Injury Compensation may be affected, or rejected entirely, on the basis of the conduct of the applicant. This is particularly important for those with previous criminal convictions which are considered unspent at the time of application. For example:

• If the applicant has received a prison sentence of up to 6 months, they will need to wait 2 years from the end of the sentence.
• If the applicant has received a Community Order, they may make an application to CICA 12 months after the end of the Order.

Other restrictions apply for different types of criminal convictions.

Unlike other types of personal injury claims, the general time limit for Criminal Injury Compensation Claims is 2 years from the date of the criminal incident, however some exceptions may apply for injuries that are only found or fully diagnosed at a later date, or if the application could not have reasonably been made earlier.

People under the age of 18 or those lacking mental capacity may begin the compensation process for 2 years after they cease to be considered within their definition.

In most cases, you must apply to the CICA within two years from the date of the incident. However, there are important exceptions. For example, children have until two years after their 18th birthday to make a claim if the crime was reported to the police while they were still underage. If you are not a minor, the CICA can extend the time limit in exceptional circumstances. If you are unsure, please reach out. We can advise you honestly about your options.

Yes. It’s a common misconception that you can only claim if someone has been caught or convicted. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) assesses claims on the balance of probabilities, not beyond reasonable doubt like a criminal court. This means that even if the police were unable to make an arrest or secure a conviction, you may still be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. What’s most important is that you reported the crime to the police as soon as you reasonably could and that you’ve co-operated fully with their investigation.

If there was a genuine reason for delay, the CICA has the discretion to accept your claim, provided you can explain the circumstances clearly.

The CICA expects victims to report incidents to the police without delay, but life is not always that straightforward. Many do not come forward immediately. In some cases, children or survivors of domestic or historic abuse may need time before feeling safe enough to speak up. If you haven’t yet reported the crime, we strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible and seek our advice on what steps to take next.

If you have an unspent conviction, this may reduce your compensation or prevent you from receiving an award altogether. Similarly, if your own actions contributed to the incident (for example, if you provoked the attack), this could affect your entitlement. However, each case is assessed on its individual facts, and our Criminal Injury Solicitors can help you understand how your personal circumstances might impact your claim.

Yes. Many do not realise that you do not have to be physically injured to qualify for a criminal injury award. If you witnessed a violent crime or came upon the immediate aftermath and suffered a recognised psychiatric injury as a result, you may be eligible for compensation. These situations can be deeply distressing, and the CICA recognises the profound impact such events can have on mental wellbeing.

Yes, if you have lost a loved one as a result of a violent crime, you may be able to claim a bereavement award, funeral expenses, and in some cases, dependency payments. Close relatives, dependants, and those who have paid for funeral costs can often access support through the CICA scheme. We understand how devastating such losses are, and we are here to guide families through every step of the process with care and compassion.

In addition to the basic tariff for your physical or psychological injury, the CICA may award compensation for loss of earnings if your injuries stopped you working for more than 28 weeks, and for certain special expenses such as medical treatment not available on the NHS, home adaptations, or necessary care costs. We will help you gather the right evidence to demonstrate these losses clearly and maximise your claim.

If you suffered more than one injury, the CICA does not simply add up each amount. Instead, it applies a specific formula: you receive 100% of the tariff for the most serious injury, 30% for the second most serious, and 15% for the third. Injuries beyond the top three are not usually compensated separately, but they are considered in the overall assessment. Our experienced team can explain how this may apply in your situation.

No, applying for compensation is completely separate from the criminal trial process. The CICA makes its own decision based on available evidence and does not interfere with any prosecution or defence in court. However, any evidence given during the criminal case may help support your claim, so it’s important to keep us updated on its progress.

No. CICA claims are handled administratively, so you will not usually have to attend a court hearing. In rare cases, if you appeal a decision to a tribunal, you may be asked to attend, but we will be by your side to support and represent you fully.

Yes. The CICA scheme encourages acts of bravery. If you were injured while intervening to prevent a crime or protect someone else, you may be entitled to an award. These claims often need clear evidence, and we can help you present your case to show that your actions were reasonable and deserving of recognition.

Straightforward claims with clear evidence may be resolved within six to twelve months. More complex cases, especially those involving serious injuries or disputed facts, can take longer. We understand how important timely support is, and we will do everything we can to progress your claim without unnecessary delays, keeping you updated at each stage.

Yes, survivors of domestic violence or historic abuse are eligible to apply under the CICA scheme. Many feel understandably nervous about reporting abuse, especially if it happened years ago, but the scheme recognises the profound impact such crimes have. We can offer sensitive, confidential advice to help you navigate reporting requirements and ensure your voice is heard.