If you or your child have sustained one or more physical and/or psychological injuries because of a violent crime, you will be entitled to apply for compensation under a government scheme. These claims are made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). 

The criminal act leading to injury must have been reported to the police. 

A parent or guardian can make an application to the CICA on behalf of a child who has been injured as a result of violence. Any claim to the CICA in these circumstances must be made before the child’s 20^th birthday. A close individual to the child may also be eligible to make a claim for any mental injuries sustained as a result of witnessing their child sustain such an injury. 

To make a claim, relevant information and evidence to support your claim must be gathered before it is sent to the CICA. The CICA will review the case and advise whether any further evidence (often medical evidence) is required before a decision is made. 

The CICA will then decide whether any compensation will be awarded, and the amount of compensation to be awarded (capped at £500,000). It is then up to the applicant to decide whether they wish to accept or appeal the decision. 

You do not need to instruct a solicitor to make a CICA claim on your behalf, however it is recommended that a solicitor is instructed to optimise the overall success of your claim. This is because the evidence gathering and legal process can be overwhelming for some, but most importantly a solicitor will have the expert knowledge to advise whether an offer made by the CICA is reasonable and can negotiate effectively with the CICA if necessary. 

Initial information/evidence required :

• ID and proof of parental responsibility (birth/adoption certificate);
• Details of cause of injury (including date and location);
• Details of GP and any other medical facilities attended in connection with injury;
• Name of police station that crime was reported to and police reference number;

CICA CLAIMS: FAQs

Who can make a CICA claim?

Anyone who has been physically or psychologically injured due to a violent crime, provided the incident was reported to the police. 

How long do I have to make a claim? 

As a general rule, adults have 2 years from the date of the incident to make a claim, but there are exceptions to this in certain circumstances. Children have until their 20^th birthday to make a claim. 

What kind of compensation can I receive? 

Compensation can cover a range of damages including pain and suffering, medical expenses, and loss of earnings.

How long do CICA Claims take? 

The CICA usually provide decisions within 12-18 months of the claim being made but can take longer in complex cases. 

How much will the claim be worth? 

Claims are valued on a case-by-case basis; More serious injuries typically lead to higher compensation amounts. The maximum compensation that can be awarded is £500,000.

If compensation is awarded to a child, where does the money go? 

The CICA is likely to impose conditions that must be satisfied for an award to be accepted on behalf of the child. These can include establishing a trust to administer the award or retaining the award until the applicant’s 18^th birthday. 

How much does it cost to instruct a solicitor to act on my behalf? 

The costs of instructing a solicitor would need to be evaluated on a case by case basis, taking the potential value and complexity of the case into consideration. We would agree our fee with you at the outset, which would be deducted from any compensation awarded. If no award is made, you pay us nothing. fore you receive your compensation, however this does not mean that one cannot be set up afterwards. 

You can also complete an online enquiry form. One of the Wollens team will contact you as soon as they are available.