If you've sustained a criminal injury, then you'll know just how distressing it can be. Whether you've been injured or experienced psychological trauma because of a violent crime, our solicitors could help you claim compensation.
Our team of specialist lawyers have helped thousands of clients with their criminal injury compensation claims.
We’ve also helped people claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) scheme. The CICA is a government body that operates a compensation scheme for the victims of violent crime in England, Scotland, and Wales. It was set up to help those who’ve been physically or mentally injured through criminal violence.
Who's eligible to make a criminal injury claim?
To be eligible for compensation through the CICA scheme, the crime must be a crime of violence, which includes physical attacks, sexual assault, threats causing fear of immediate violence, or acts/omissions causing physical injury.
Violent crimes we've supported clients in claiming for include:
- Assaults
- Hit-and-run incidents
- Infant assaults (often known as “shaken baby” cases)
- Terrorist attacks.
Beyond the nature of the crime, there are also general eligibility criteria for applicants:
- The crime must have been reported to the police as soon as possible
- There's generally a two-year time limit from the date of the incident to make a claim, although there are exceptions
- The applicant's behaviour before, during, and after the incident, their criminal record, and their cooperation with authorities can impact the claim's outcome.
Why choose Irwin Mitchell to help with your criminal injury compensation claim?
Criminal injury claims are different to other personal injury claims, so it's important to choose a solicitor who fully understands how they work.
Our personal injury team is the largest in the UK, and it contains dedicated criminal injury lawyers who work solely on claims of this kind. They've dedicated their lives to helping the victims of assaults, and they can help you too.
How we can support you
Many people who are meant to give support after such a traumatic experience don't look beyond the physical injury caused by an attack or an assault. We understand that the damage caused in these situations goes beyond the physical – often, the psychological harm is far longer lasting.
With the help of our Support and Rehabilitation Coordinators, you’ll get access to the right support for your needs. This could be physical, emotional, or financial support. Any support we do get for you will be local to you.
What happens after your claim?
Once your claim is successful, you might be wondering about the next steps. While every case is unique, we can provide an estimated timeframe for your claim's resolution.
Some criminal injury claims can lead to large sums of compensation. We’ll also be able to assist you in setting up a personal injury trust. This makes sure any compensation you receive doesn’t get considered when claiming for means-tested benefits.
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Experienced criminal injury lawyers
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