CRIMINAL INJURY AUTHORITY CLAIMS SOLICITOR

If you have incurred injuries as the result of violent crime you may be entitled to compensation. Our specialist personal injury solicitors deal with criminal injury authority claims on a risk free no win no fee basis. If your claim is refused you do not pay any legal fees or expenses. For a free confidential consultation on criminal injury authority claims with a member of the Law Society panel of personal injury experts, just call our helpline or complete the contact form.

Below are answers to some of the most common questions about bringing a criminal injury authority claim. If you do not see the answer to your question or if you have any further queries, please don't hesitate to call. Our expert solicitors are happy to answer all criminal injury authority questions.

Q. Is there a limit on the amount of time in which I have to bring my claim?

A. Applications must be received by the CICA within two years of the date of the incident. The criminal injury authority does have the authority to extend this time period when special circumstances exist.

Q. For what reasons could my claim be refused or reduced?

A. When determining a claimant's eligibility for compensation, the CICA is allowed to take the claimant's character into account. Specifically, the CICA can consider the claimant's behaviour before, during and after the incident, as well as any 'unspent' criminal convictions the claimant may have.

Q. What is the maximum and minimum amount of compensation I could receive?

A. The minimum amount paid by the criminal injury authority for successful claims is £1,000 and the maximum is £500,000.

Q. Can I review the written evidence?

A. Most of the written evidence is accessible to a claimant, with the exception of the police report which must remain confidential.

Q. How long will it take for my claim to be settled?

A. Around 90% of all claims are settled within 10 months but particularly complicated cases may take longer.

Q. If I am unhappy with the CICA's initial decision on my claim, can I ask to have it reconsidered?

A. Claimants who are unhappy with the initial decision made by a claims officer can request that it be reviewed by a more senior member of the criminal injury authority staff.

Q. Is there a limit on the amount of time I have in which to request a review of the decision?

A. The application must be made within 90 days of the date of the initial decision. The CICA, however, has the discretion to extend this period in special cases.

Q. Can I appeal the decision made by the senior officer who reviewed my claim?

A. If you are dissatisfied with the decision of the senior office, you have the right to appeal to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel, a body which operates independently of the criminal injury authority. The form and instructions for making an appeal are included with the written notice of the review decision.

Q. Can I submit my own medical evidence?

A. Yes. The CICA will consider any relevant medical evidence when reviewing a claim.

Q. Can I make a claim on behalf of someone who was killed as the result of a violent crime?

A. The spouse, children, parents and individuals who received support from the deceased can bring a claim.

Q. Can I claim compensation funeral expenses?

A. The CICA reimburses reasonable funeral expenses to the individual who paid for the funeral.

Q. How long does it take to receive compensation after a decision has been made?

A. In general, cheques are sent within 4 weeks of the decision being made.

Our specialist solicitors are members of the Law Society panel of personal injury experts. We offer free initial advice on CICA applications and will review your potential claim and advise on its value. If the claim is refused or the award is inadequate, in appropriate cases, we will appeal the decision. For free advise on risk free no win no fee claims just use the helpline or complete the contact form and a solicitor will speak to you on the telephone without further obligation.