CICA Claim Solicitors UK

The Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government funded body that exists to compensate the innocent victims of violent crime. Our CICA claims solicitors deal with applications for compensation using the no win no fee scheme which means that if your claim is not successful you will not pay one penny. If you would like free advice from a CICA claim solicitor just email or complete the contact form or use the helpline and a specialist personal injury lawyer will speak to you on the telephone with no charge and no further obligation.

SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0845 644 4163

Award Criteria

There are several basic criteria that must be satisfied in order that a CICA claims solicitor can make a successful application for compensation. Whilst it is not necessary for there to be a criminal conviction to secure payment of an award, in the event of failure to comply with any one of these requirements it is likely that an award of compensation will be refused :-

• injuries sustained in the attack must have taken at least 6 weeks to heal
• the injury must have a value exceeding £1,000
• medical treatment must have been necessary on at least two occasions
• application must be made within two years of the assault
• the assault must have been reported to the authorities promptly
• the police or other relevant authorities must receive full co-operation from the applicant

SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0845 644 4163

Refusal & Reduction

There are several other issues that can have a bearing on the outcome of the application for an award by a CICA claims solicitor. The application can be refused or the amount of the award can be reduced after consideration of the following matters :-

• the applicants unspent criminal convictions are taken into consideration
• the victims behaviour before, during and after the incident is taken into consideration

SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0845 644 4163

Right of Appeal

If an award is refused or if the amount of the award is reduced due to the applicants behaviour, there is a right to reconsideration of a controversial decision, by a more senior claims officer within the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority and there is a subsequent right of appeal of any proposed award to the independent Criminal Injury Appeal Tribunal.

SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0845 644 4163

Tariff Scheme

The amount of the award for personal injury is based on a tariff scheme and is decided after consideration of a printed guide that allocates a figure for each potential individual injury. If the victim suffers from multiple injuries only the three most serious are considered and the second and third injuries suffer a discount from the amount recommended in the tariff guide before the figures are aggregated to produce the amount of the final award for pain and suffering. Damages awards for personal injury have a minimum value of £1,000 and are capped at a maximum value of £250,000. Your CICA claims solicitor will advise on any proposed award and will consider the appeal procedures if the amount offered is inadequate.

SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0845 644 4163

Financial Losses

Claims can be made by a CICA claims solicitor for other losses in addition to the award for pain and suffering. If the applicant is incapacitated and is likely to remain so for more than 28 weeks there is entitlement to claim for loss of earnings and the cost of medical care and expenses upon the expiry of the initial 28 week period. This potential award is also capped at £250,000.

SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0845 644 4163

Time Limits

Application must normally be made within two years of the incident that caused the injury although the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority does have discretion to extend the time limits and will do so as a matter of course for certain types of incident. Even if the primary limitation period has expired it is worth taking advice from a CICA claims solicitor as a great many claims are allowed outside the basic time limit.

SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0845 644 4163

Claim Procedure

An initial application is made to the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority in Glasgow on a pre-printed form usually within two years of the violent incident. The application is acknowledged and given a reference following which the CICA obtain medical evidence and a police report. The CICA follow up the initial application with a questionnaire and thereafter make a decision of whether or not an award will be offered and the amount of the award. The applicant can accept or refuse and may ask for internal review or take the matter to an independent tribunal for appeal. The entire process is usually completed in less than a year.

SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0845 644 4163

Legal Costs

Our CICA claim solicitors operate the no win no fee scheme which means that if the application is rejected and an award is refused, even after appeal the applicant will not pay one penny. If the application is successful and a financial award is made to the applicant, we charge 25% plus VAT for our services which include any appeal that may be necessary to establish the applicant’s right to receive payment.

SOLICITORS HELPLINE 0845 644 4163

Victim Support

This organisation is a completely independent charity that provides a free and confidential service, whether or not the matter has been reported to the police, to give emotional support, information and practical help to those who have suffered from the effects of crime. Victim Support operates a helpline where victims can obtain advice in complete anonymity. Victim Support witness service is available in every criminal court to provide information about court procedures to witnesses and victims.