Supply of multiple kilos of class A drugs. The client was acquitted of drugs supply following a defence of duress....
As experts in both criminal and personal injury law, we understand how traumatic being the victim of a crime can be. Our personal injury solicitors can help you claim compensation for both physical or psychological injuries caused by violent crime.
Our team has assisted many people to make claims through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) scheme, helping them recover from the effects of a violent crime. We are sensitive to the trauma clients who have been the victim of crime face and manage all cases with compassion and confidentiality.
We hold a Lexcel accreditation from the Law Society of England and Wales, a factor which demonstrates our commitment to providing quality legal advice and delivering exceptional client care.
Please contact us on 0207 281 1001 or at enquiries@faradayssolicitors.co.uk.
What is the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)?
The CICA manages compensation claims from victims of violent crime in England, Wales and Scotland. The authority was set up to assist those who had suffered physical or phycological injury as a result of being a victim of crime.
The key responsibility of the CICA is to administer the government’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS).
What is the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS)?
The CICS is a government-funded scheme designed to compensate the blameless victims of violent crime in England, Wales and Scotland. The rules of the scheme and how much compensation will be awarded are extremely complex, which is why many people instruct a solicitor to assist them in making a claim. We can advise you on your rights under the scheme and ensure you receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Can I instruct Faradays Solicitors on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis for CICS claims?
We work on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis for CICS claims. This means that if your claim is successful, we will keep a proportion of your compensation as payment for our legal fees. The percentage we take to cover our costs will be discussed and agreed on upfront, and we are 100% transparent when it comes to our fees.
What types of claims does the CICA consider?
Payment for the following are available under the CICS:
- mental or physical injury resulting from a violent crime
- sexual or physical abuse
- loss of earnings, where as a direct result of the crime, your ability to work has been temporarily or permanently affected
- special expenses – these are costs you have incurred as a direct result of being a victim of violent crime; however, these are only recoverable if you were left unable to work or similarly incapacitated for 28 weeks or more
- a death caused by a violent crime, including bereavement payments, payments for loss of parental services and financial dependency; and funeral payments.
Are all claims successful under the CICS?
Unfortunately, no, which is why it is crucial to instruct an experienced solicitor to advise and represent you. To make a successful claim, you must be eligible under the rules of the scheme, which are:
- you must be a direct victim (i.e. someone who was directly injured) of a crime of violence
- the incident must have been reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable
- if you were injured whilst trying to stop an offender or prevent or remedy the consequences of a crime or helping the police to do so, you may be eligible for compensation as long as you can prove you were taking an exceptional risk and the risk was completely justified
- you witnessed a loved one being injured as a result of a violent crime or were present in the immediate aftermath of the incident
- you are the child or dependent of someone who dies as a result of violent crime – this includes adult children
- you meet the residency or nationality requirements
Often crimes are not reported to the police immediately – this is especially the case with sexual abuse. If you delayed going to the police, you will need to explain why. Our solicitors can assist you with this. The circumstances of your case will be taken into account including how old you were at the time of the crime, whether you lacked the mental capacity to report the incident, or whether the seriousness of your injuries meant you could not report the crime straight away.
How does the CICA assess claims?
Once you have applied for compensation under the CICS, the CICA will look at various things relating to your case including police reports and evidence, and medical records. For claims regarding loss of earnings, information gathered from HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions will be considered.
You will need to confirm that all the evidence you have provided is true. Providing false information can lead to your claim being refused.
How long does it take for a criminal injury compensation claim to be assessed?
The length of time it takes to assess your claim will depend on its complexity. By using our solicitors to submit your application, you can be confident there will be no hold-ups due to the CICA not having all the information they require. In addition, we can quickly answer any questions they may have regarding your application on your behalf. However, claims can take up to 12 months to be processed.
Will my conduct at the time of the criminal incident be taken into account?
Yes, the CICA will look into your actions at the time of the crime as the scheme is designed to compensate blameless victims. As expert criminal defence lawyers, our team can examine the incident in which you received your injuries and will ensure any conduct that may be considered unfavourably by the CICA has a robust explanation attached.
To find out more about making a criminal injury compensation claim, please phone our office on 0207 281 1001. You can also email us at enquiries@faradayssolicitors.co.uk.