Assault Compensation Claims

Being the victim of an assault can leave you traumatised and seriously damage your confidence – but you don't have to go through it alone, and it is possible to get justice from those responsible. If you've been assaulted, our solicitors could help you claim compensation for any physical injuries or psychological trauma you've experienced as a result.

The majority of assault compensation claims need to be made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), the body that deals with claims from victims of violent crime. You can make a claim through the CICA yourself, but it helps to have the experts on your side to gather specialist evidence, and appeal any decisions you disagree with.

You can claim through the CICA if you were a blameless victim of a violent crime – which means that your behaviour did not contribute to or cause the assault. The assault needs to have been reported to the police, and you normally have two years from the date the assault took place to make a claim.

We may even be able to help you claim compensation for assault even if your assailant was never caught, identified or convicted. Contact us today on 0800 056 4110, or get in touch online, for a free initial consultation with one of our solicitors, and we'll be happy to advise you on your options.

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They kept us well informed and made us feel part of the process. They made me feel like they knew what they were doing. I had complete confidence in them.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Claim Compensation After An Assault?

If you've been the victim of an assault that's resulted in physical injury or psychological trauma, you may be able to claim compensation.

The majority of claims for assault will need to be made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), who have their own requirements for who can and can't make a claim. You could be eligible to claim through the CICA if:

You reported the incident to the police, without any delay
The incident happened in England, Wales or Scotland
The incident happened within the last two years (though there are exceptions to this rule – contact us if you are in any doubt over whether you can claim)
Your injuries are serious enough to meet the minimum award of £1,000

Injuries we've helped people claim for include:

Loss of sight
Loss of hearing
Paralysis
Burns
Psychological trauma
Serious injuries and fatalities

If a loved one has been the victim of an assault, we may be able to help you make a claim on their behalf, including:

If you're claiming for a child who is under the age of 18
If someone lacks the mental capacity to make legal decisions
If an assault has led to loss of life

You may also be able to claim if you were the witness to an assault, if it's caused you psychological harm as a result. In particular, you may be able to claim if you witnessed a friend, relative or partner being assaulted.

Although it's essential to report an assault to the police to claim through CICA, your assailant doesn't necessarily have to have been identified, caught or convicted in order for you to claim.

If you're not sure whether or not you'll be able to claim, it's best to seek some legal advice. Contact us on 0800 056 4110 for a free consultation, or get in touch online and we'll get back to you.

Can I Claim If I Was Drunk At The Time Of An Assault?

Someone who assaults you has broken the law, even if you were drunk or under the influence of drugs at the time. As long as your behaviour didn't cause or contribute to the assault, you may still be able to make a claim, after you have reported the crime to the police.

Of course, whether or not your behaviour is considered provocation or not is at the discretion of the body awarding compensation, so establishing that you're a blameless victim will be part of our investigation into your injuries. We might review CCTV footage of the incident, or use evidence obtained through a medical examination, in order to establish that your behaviour did not contribute to your attack.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. You can call us on 0800 056 4110 for a free consultation, or get in touch online and we'll get back to you.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell For An Assault Claim?

Following an assault, it may be possible to make a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), but it can be complicated experience to make a claim without legal representation (particularly where you suffered serious injuries). It really can help to have the experts on your side – experts who are familiar with the process, and can offer you advice in plain English at every step of the way.

We'll thoroughly investigate your claim, which may involve getting you to attend a medical examination to assess the extent of your injuries and obtain evidence of how they were inflicted. If your injuries are serious, we'll be able to advise on how much compensation you should expect, and we'll work hard to secure the maximum amount for you.

Even if your claim isn't initially successful or you receive less compensation than you are due, we'll keep fighting if we think you have a case – we have a track record of success in appealing decisions by the CICA.

Our personal injury team is one of the largest in the UK, with dedicated criminal injury and assault solicitors who have dedicated their careers to helping innocent victims of crime seek justice. Our previous successes include:

A compensation settlement for a man who experienced assault and false imprisonment at the hands of the police while collecting his son from a police station – find out more about his claim.
A successful appeal for a man whose application to the CICA had been rejected on two occasions, resulting in a full award of compensation – find out more about his claim.
£10,000 in compensation for a nurse who was assaulted by a patient while at work, which resulted in soft-tissue injuries, depression and anxiety – find out more about her claim.
A seven-figure settlement to provide lifetime care for a young woman who was assaulted as a baby, leaving her with significant disabilities – find out more about her claim.

Just as in these cases, a key part of our work on all criminal injury claims is helping you to access the rehabilitation that you need, and from the beginning of your case we'll help you to identify any care or support needs you have now and will have in the future, whether that's physical therapy, mobility aids, or counselling.

If you have any questions about making an assault claim, call us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free consultation with one of our solicitors. Alternatively, you can contact us online and we'll get back to you.

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Assault Compensation Claims

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