Our No Win No Fee agreement means you can pursue a personal injury claim following a criminal injury, without having to worry about paying any upfront legal costs. Should your compensation claim be unsuccessful, our No Win No Fee agreement can provide you with the peace of mind that you won’t be charged, and left out of pocket. You shouldn’t be put off making a criminal injury compensation claim due to any financial risk, allowing you to rightfully seek the compensation you deserve following a criminal injury that wasn’t your fault.

Being the victim of a violent crime or assault can be extremely distressing, especially if you or a loved one have been injured or experienced psychological trauma as a result. Due to the consequences of this kind of incident more than likely being no fault of your own, you could be entitled to claim compensation from the CICA.

The CICA or Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is a government scheme set up to compensate innocent victims of violent crime. Since it was set up in 1996, the CICA has helped thousands secure compensation for criminal injuries. The compensation settlements mean victims can get the support they need to get their life back on track. Victims might be subjects of criminal assault or abuse or have been injured due to justified risk, such as assisting a police officer or preventing a crime.

The CICA has set out some conditions of the scheme, which must be met by victims before they can be considered eligible for compensation.

• Injuries as a result of a violent crime
• The incident was reported to the police as soon as reasonably possible to do so
• You have cooperated with police enquiries and investigations
• The incident happened or was reported, within the last two years of making the claim (this time limit may be waived under exceptional circumstances)
• The incident occurred in the UK

If the above conditions are not met, you have already applied for an injury under the scheme, or have a criminal record you may likely be refused compensation.

The amount of compensation received is determined by the CICA and depends on the individual circumstances of the incident and the severity of the injuries sustained.

Upon deciding your compensation settlement amount, the following are likely to be considered:

• General damages - Injuries, pain and suffering
• Special damages - Such as private treatments, rehabilitation, home adaptations
• Loss of earnings
• Bereavement payments
• Child dependency payments
• Family dependency payments
• Funeral costs

Making a criminal injury compensation claim can to some seem daunting, and can be a complex process. Our expert Personal Injury Team can help you claim compensation from the CICA, following a range of different incidents you may have fallen victim to.

Even if the perpetrator of the crime is never identified, caught or convicted, you may still be able to obtain some compensation. So even if you are unsure of your entitlement, it’s worth giving us a call and talking to a member of the team who can provide a free initial consultation, where they will assess your claim.

The information we will require in order to do this is:

• The contact details of any medical expert who has provided treatment in relation to the incident
• The police reference number of the reported incident
• If known, the name of the offender
• The date of any court case, if available

Give us a call today, and we can help you understand the process and answer any questions you have.

How much compensation can I claim?

Probably one of the most common questions asked by clients when first enquiring about a personal injury they have suffered, is ‘how much compensation am I entitled to?’ Or ‘how much is my claim worth?’

It’s incredibly hard to say how much compensation you are entitled to following a criminal injury, as compensation is based on your pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Due to the different circumstances, this is based on it means no two claims are the same, and all are treated individually.

To get a better idea of this, it helps to know how a claim is calculated. Take a look at our "How much compensation can I claim?" guide to understand all the factors involved in calculating your compensation claim.

How long will my claim take?