Criminal Injury Compensation Claims
Expert CICA Victim Compensation Claim Solicitors
Our dedicated CICA compensation solicitors offer compassionate support and expert legal guidance to victims and families impacted by violent crimes, including:
- Knife Crime and Stabbing Victims
- Gun Crime Victims
- Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)
- Actual Bodily Harm (ABH)
- Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment Victims
- Child Abuse Survivors
- Victims of Sex Trafficking and Sexual Assault
- Families of Murder Victims
For free, no-obligation advice from experienced CICA solicitors, simply call us or request a callback today. We’ll guide you step-by-step through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claim process, ensuring clarity and compassionate support at every stage.
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What is Physical Assault, and What Are the Different Types?
Physical assault involves physically attacking or threatening to harm someone. Assaults can include pushing, punching, kicking, or using weapons such as knives or bottles.
Types of assault covered by CICA include:
- Common Assault: Threats or minor physical violence (e.g., pushing, slapping).
- Actual Bodily Harm (ABH): Moderate injuries such as bruising, scratches, or bites.
- Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH): Serious injuries, often involving weapons (stabbing, shooting, severe beatings).
- Sexual Assault and Rape: Non-consensual sexual acts, including unwanted sexual touching or forced intercourse.
- Domestic Abuse and Family Violence: Violence by partners, ex-partners, spouses, or family members.
- Hate Crime: Assaults motivated by discrimination based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Even assaults without visible physical injuries can cause significant psychological trauma, potentially qualifying you for compensation.
What Can You Claim Compensation For?
Physical Injuries
If you’ve suffered physical injuries from violent crimes like knife attacks, shootings, or severe assaults, you’re eligible to claim for physical and associated psychological trauma.
Sexual Abuse & Assault
Victims of recent or historic sexual abuse or assault (adult or childhood experiences) can claim compensation through CICA.
Psychological Trauma (PTSD)
You may claim compensation for psychological harm, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), if you’ve been directly involved or witnessed violent crimes.
Loss of Earnings
CICA compensation covers past and future earnings loss if your injuries have prevented work for more than 28 weeks (subject to statutory sick pay conditions).
How Much Compensation Could You Receive?
The amount awarded varies greatly based on injury severity, recovery duration, psychological harm, and overall impact on your life. Below are examples of typical CICA injury compensation awards:
| Injury | Compensation Amount |
|---|---|
| Scarring (Head / Neck / Face) | £1,500 – £11,000 |
| Burns (Head / Neck / Face) | £2,400 – £27,000 |
| Brain Damage | £27,000 – £250,000 |
| Ear (Deafness) | £1,800 – £44,000 |
| Loss of Ear | £2,400 – £19,000 |
| Tinnitus | £1,500 – £16,500 |
| Eye (Permanent loss of visual field) | £1,000 – £44,000 |
| Eye (Dislocation of lens) | £3,500 – £13,500 |
| Loss of Eye | £27,000 – £110,000 |
| Loss of Sight | £22,000 – £110,000 |
| Partial loss of vision | £1,000 – £55,000 |
| Permanent clicking jaw or dislocated jaw | £3,000 – £3,500 |
| Fractured jaw bone | £1,500 – £11,000 |
| Multiple fractures to face | £1,500 – £11,000 |
| Neck (Strained neck/whiplash disabling >13 weeks) | £1,000 – £11,000 |
| Loss of smell and taste | £3,500 – £16,500 |
| Skull fracture | £1,000 – £4,600 |
| Damage to teeth | £1,000 – £3,500 |
| Tongue (Impaired speech) | £3,500 – £19,000 |
| Loss of speech (permanent) | £33,000 |
| Loss of tongue | £44,000 |
| Loss of arm | £33,000 – £111,000 |
| Paralysis or equivalent loss of function of arm | £27,000 – £82,000 |
| Dislocated or fractured elbow | £1,500 – £11,000 |
| Fractured or dislocated finger or thumb | £1,000 – £6,200 |
| Loss of finger or thumb | £3,500 – £25,000 |
| Partial loss of finger or thumb | £1,000 – £16,500 |
| Fractured hand | £1,800 – £6,200 |
| Loss/equivalent loss of function of hand | £33,000 – £110,000 |
| Fractured bones in arm | £1,500 – £11,000 |
| Dislocated or frozen shoulder | £1,500 – £16,200 |
| Damage to tendon, ligament, or cartilage | £1,000 – £11,000 |
| Wrist injuries (fractured/dislocated/sprained >13 wks) | £1,500 – £13,500 |
| Fracture in back | £1,000 – £11,000 |
| Chest injury requiring thoracotomy | £27,000 |
| Collar bone fractured | £2,400 – £4,600 |
| Genitalia injuries | £3,500 – £11,000 |
| Loss of fertility | £55,000 |
| Loss of kidney | £11,000 – £55,000 |
| Punctured or collapsed lungs | £1,500 – £11,000 |
| Loss of pancreas | £16,500 |
| Loss of spleen | £11,000 |
| Fractured or dislocated ankle | £2,400 – £16,500 |
| Fractured femur (thigh bone) | £1,800 – £11,000 |
| Fractured foot or tarsal bones | £1,000 – £13,500 |
| Fractured heel bone | £1,500 – £13,500 |
| Fractured or dislocated hip | £2,400 – £16,500 |
| Loss of leg | £33,000 – £110,000 |
| Fractured tibia (shin bone) | £1,800 – £11,000 |
| Fractured toe | £1,000 – £13,500 |
| Loss of toe | £2,400 – £13,500 |
| Fatal criminal injury (Single qualifying relative) | £11,000 |
| Fatal criminal injury (Multiple relatives) | £5,500 each |
Mental Health Condition Compensation Examples
Mental health claims require a clinical diagnosis from a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. Common examples include:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
- Recovery likely: up to £13,500
- Lifelong PTSD condition: £22,000
- Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD):
- Up to £22,000 (generally considered lifelong)
Basic Eligibility Requirements for CICA Claims
To successfully claim CICA compensation, you must typically meet these criteria:
- Time Limit: Claims must generally be submitted within two years from the incident (exceptions exist for minors, historic abuse, or justified delays).
- Connection to Crime: Injuries must result directly from a violent crime where you are a blameless victim.
- Crime Reporting: Report the incident to the police promptly and cooperate fully with their investigation (conviction of the perpetrator is not necessary).
- Residency: The incident must have occurred within England, Scotland, or Wales, and you must have been a UK resident at the time.
- Victim Behaviour: Your own behaviour should not significantly contribute to your injury.
- Criminal Convictions: Compensation can be reduced or denied if you have unspent criminal convictions.
Check your eligibility clearly by speaking to our dedicated solicitors.
How Our Expert Solicitors Assist Your CICA Claim
- Eligibility Assessment: Expert advice ensuring you’re fully eligible and entitled to claim (£1,000 – £500,000).
- Evidence Gathering & Submission: We compile medical evidence, police reports, financial loss documentation, and more to strengthen your claim.
- Complete Application Management: We handle all paperwork, ensuring timely and accurate submission.
- Compensation Negotiation: We negotiate with CICA to secure the highest possible compensation amount for your injuries.
- No Win, No Fee: You only pay if your claim succeeds, no upfront costs, hidden charges, or risks.
While not mandatory, legal representation greatly enhances your chances of obtaining fair compensation and reduces stress during the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is a UK government-funded programme managed by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). It provides financial compensation to innocent victims of violent crimes, including assault, domestic violence, sexual abuse, rape, psychological trauma, and fatal crimes. The scheme operates on a fixed tariff basis, assessing compensation according to injury severity, financial losses, and the emotional or psychological harm suffered by victims.
To qualify for compensation under the CICA Scheme, you must meet the following essential criteria:
- Injury Resulting from Violent Crime:
Your injury (physical or psychological) must directly result from a crime of violence, such as assault, sexual abuse, or domestic violence. - Crime Reporting:
You must have reported the crime to the police promptly, typically within 48 hours or as soon as reasonably possible, and provided full cooperation throughout the investigation. - Residency Requirement:
The violent crime must have occurred within England, Scotland, or Wales, and you must have been resident in the UK at the time of the crime. - Blameless Victim:
Your own actions or behaviour must not have significantly contributed to the injuries sustained, although minor contributions might still be considered. - Time Limits:
Claims must generally be submitted within two years of the incident, although exceptions can apply for minors, historic abuse survivors, or circumstances where injuries were initially unknown or delayed due to trauma. - Criminal Record:
Compensation may be reduced or denied if you have unspent criminal convictions.
You can apply for compensation if you:
- Have suffered physical or psychological harm due to violent crime, including assault, sexual assault, domestic violence, or hate crimes.
- Are a relative or dependent of someone fatally injured or murdered as a result of violent crime.
- Experienced psychological trauma after witnessing a violent crime, such as PTSD.
Yes. Typically, you must file a CICA claim within two years from the date of the incident. However, the scheme allows flexibility under certain conditions, such as:
- Claims by individuals who were children (under 18) when the crime occurred, who then have until their 20th birthday to submit.
- Claims involving historic sexual or physical abuse.
- Situations where injuries became apparent much later, or trauma delayed a claimant’s ability to pursue compensation.
In these cases, you must provide a reasonable justification for any delay.
When submitting a CICA claim, you must provide clear and comprehensive evidence, including:
- Crime Reference Number: Given by the police upon reporting the crime.
- Detailed Incident Information: Date, location, and specifics of the crime.
- Medical Evidence: Doctor’s reports, hospital records, psychologist’s or psychiatrist’s assessments confirming injuries or trauma.
- Proof of Losses: Documentation of lost earnings, medical expenses, care costs, or other financial losses resulting directly from your injuries.
- Personal Identification and Residency Proof: ID, passport, or residency documents confirming UK residency at the time of the crime.
The CICA Scheme awards compensation for:
- Physical Injuries: Ranging from minor injuries (e.g., cuts, bruises) to severe injuries (e.g., broken bones, head injuries, permanent disabilities).
- Psychological Trauma: Including PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, and personality disorders, diagnosed by qualified medical professionals.
- Loss of Earnings: Both past and future earnings losses, if injuries prevent you from working for more than 28 weeks.
- Special Expenses: Additional costs related directly to your injuries, such as medical or rehabilitation expenses.
- Bereavement and Dependency Payments: Available to dependents or close relatives in cases involving fatalities resulting from violent crime.
Compensation awards typically range from £1,000 to £500,000, based on the severity of injuries and circumstances.
If you suffer multiple injuries from a single incident, CICA calculates compensation by awarding full compensation for your most serious injury and additional partial awards for other qualifying injuries. These secondary injury awards are generally set at reduced percentages as outlined in the CICA tariff system.
Yes. If witnessing a violent crime caused significant psychological trauma (e.g., PTSD, severe anxiety), you may be eligible for compensation. You must present clear medical evidence (usually from a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist) confirming your diagnosis and the direct impact of witnessing the crime on your mental health.
CICA claims typically take between 6 to 18 months, depending on complexity:
- Straightforward cases (clear evidence, minor injuries) may conclude within 6–12 months.
- Complex or severe injury cases (requiring extensive medical assessments, detailed financial loss evidence, or appeals) may take 12–18 months or longer.
CICA aims to process claims efficiently, but thorough evidence and accurate submissions expedite the process significantly.
After you’ve reported the incident to the police:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Obtain medical assessments to document your injuries clearly.
- Keep Comprehensive Records: Document all communications, medical treatments, financial losses, and emotional impacts.
- Consult a Specialist Solicitor: Consider speaking with a solicitor experienced in CICA claims to help maximize your potential compensation award and manage your claim effectively.
Absolutely. Your eligibility for compensation does not depend on whether the perpetrator has been convicted or even identified. CICA considers evidence from police reports and medical assessments confirming your injuries and the occurrence of the crime, regardless of criminal proceedings.
Typically, you cannot make a new claim for injuries already compensated when you were a child. However, if new or previously undiagnosed injuries arise later, or your condition significantly deteriorates over time, you may be eligible for further compensation. It’s essential to seek specialist legal advice to review your case circumstances.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) decides your compensation award. They assess claims against a published tariff system that lists standard compensation values based on injury severity, duration of suffering, psychological impacts, and financial losses. Your solicitor can provide advice on the potential award based on similar past cases and the current tariff rates.