Criminal Injury Claims Solicitor

If you suffered an injury as a result of a violent crime or criminal activity, you may be eligible to claim compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). To find out if you can claim compensation, call us today on 0800 0384 384 to speak with a solicitor that specialises in criminal injury claims, or contact us by e-mail.

Compensation can be claimed from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) by people who have been injured as a result of a crime. CICA is government-funded and has strict guidelines about awarding compensation for criminal injuries; however, CICA exists to compensate victims who qualify. In most instances, if you have the correct documentation regarding your criminal injury and you can demonstrate that you meet the requirements to receive compensation, then your claim will succeed.

To meet the requirements for criminal injury compensation you must have received the injury as a result of a crime. Your injury must be bad enough to require at least two follow up doctor’s appointments and for your recovery to take at least six weeks. You can receive compensation for either a physical or psychological injury. You can also claim whether your injury was deliberate or accidental; for example, if you were pushed to the ground by a criminal fleeing the scene and suffered a head injury or broken bones.

People who have lost a spouse, partner, child or parent to a fatal criminal injury can also claim compensation.

The injury must have occurred in England, Scotland or Wales, and you must report the crime to the police (normally straight away) and then co-operate with the police while they investigate the incident. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority can withhold or reduce a compensation award if they feel your behaviour may have led to the attack; for example if you initiated a fight or goaded the attacker. In most cases you must initiate your claim within two years of the incident, although exceptions may be made.

You do not need to have legal representation to make an application for compensation and for a straightforward claim is often unnecessary. Because the CICA scheme does not pay for solicitors' fees, Pannone’s criminal injury solicitors will advise you on how best to proceed and whether you should use a solicitor.

If you have suffered a serious injury and will have to cope with financial losses in the longer term, you should usually appoint specialist criminal injury solicitor to ensure you get the maximum level of compensation.

For help and advice call Freephone 0800 0384 384 now for a consultation with a Criminal Injuries Solicitor at Pannone LLP.