Can I claim for assault or other criminal injury compensation?

The answer is yes but this is a complicated area.

In our experience when someone suffers injury as the victim of violent crime, the usual route to for making a claim may not be available – this is simply because the person responsible for the injury may have little or no money or they may not have even been identified.

Therefore we can help you make a compensation claim from the Government-run scheme known as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (or CICA). This scheme is specifically there to provide compensation for the victims of violent crime and includes injuries suffered as a result of assault and street crime, domestic violence and abuse and sexual abuse.

CICA does have strict rules – so having proper legal advice can make a difference to what you can claim. For example;

• CICA compensation can be refused or reduced depending on how you notify the police of the crime, how cooperative you were with their investigations and whether you yourself have a criminal record
• Any claim can include any pain or suffering you experience or any loss of earnings you incur - but not before 28 weeks
• And the deadline that applies is that the correct CICA form must be completed and lodged within two years of the incident date

You do not have to use a solicitor to make your claim and your legal costs will not be recovered - however the rules are quite complicated and specialist advice can be helpful especially if you decide you need to appeal the original decision.

Ultimately you have three choices as to how you progress;

1. QualitySolicitors know that some people like to claim without any legal help – that is fine
2. Others like some level of support especially when the CICA forms arrive or when a compensation offer is made. In this situation our ‘Ask the Legal Expert’ service may be appropriate - up to 45 minutes with a specialist lawyer for a fixed fee
3. Or finally you may decide you would like our help with the full process under our ‘no win - no fee’ service

Talk to one of our legal experts using our free initial assessment service as this may help you make the right choice for you.