News

Step-by-step guide to claiming CICA compensation

November 3, 2022
Featured Image

 

If you’re hoping to make a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) compensation claim, this article will clearly outline how to claim CICA compensation.

There are many benefits of working with Fletchers Serious Injury on your claim.

As serious injury specialists, we have more than 30-years’ experience handling criminal injury compensation claims – from the long and complex to extremely traumatic cases.

Ultimately, if you have fallen victim to a criminal attack, you’ll be looking for answers fast.

This article will not only introduce who CICA are, but run through the need-to-knows, such as when to make a CICA claim and what the outcome could be.

 

What is CICA criminal injuries compensation

CICA criminal injuries compensation is a compensation scheme that directly relates to criminal injuries, and ensures you are fairly compensated for the harrowing incident you experienced.

Firstly, it’s important to state that you don’t have to be the victim of a physical attack to claim. In our article entitled have you witnessed a violent crime we discuss why witnessing a crime can make you eligible, too.

So, how can you claim CICA criminal injuries compensation?

Victims can claim compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) – the government body set up to help innocent victims of violent crime.

At Fletchers Serious Injury, our legal experts have been successfully handling criminal injury claims for more than 30 years. As such, we have built an excellent reputation nationally in representing claimants in this specialist field.

 

What is CICA?

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority was set up in 1996 to provide compensation to blameless victims of crime. Funded by the Ministry of Justice using taxpayers’ money, the CICA can award settlements from £1,000 up to a maximum of £500,000.

 

What is classed as a criminal injury?

As well as compensation for injuries, our criminal injuries team can advise you on the financial impact following an attack. For example, if you have had time away from work as a direct result of the injury.

Victims of violent crimes could be entitled to claim compensation for:

 

  • Loss of earnings
  • Psychological suffering
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Costs for rehabilitation and ongoing support
  • Trauma caused by the perpetrator never being identified, convicted or caught

 

 

What evidence will you need to make a CICA claim?

Once we accept your case, we will work with CICA to establish the very best result possible.

For us to do this, your criminal injuries compensation claim requires the following information:

 

  • Circumstances of the incident
  • Location and exact date of the crime
  • Name of the police station where the crime was reported
  • Crime reference number
  • Name and address of your GP
  • Dentist’s name and address(if you had dental treatment because of your injuries)
  • Any previous applications made to CICA by you or on your behalf
  • Unspent criminal convictions details
  • Proof of identification such as a birth or marriage certificate, power of attorney or deed poll

There is no cost to make an application and while you do not need to utilise a solicitor or legal advisor, we would always recommend doing so, in order to maintain a smooth process and maximise the value of your claim.

As a government body, CICA must adhere to certain rules and procedures during the investigation process. Our legal teams are extremely skilled at navigating these choppy legal waters, which is why working with a specialist legal team is beneficial.

Once you’ve submitted your violent crime evidence with us, our criminal injury solicitors will guide you through every step of the claims process to help you secure the compensation you deserve.

 

How to claim CICA compensation with Fletchers Serious Injury

If you fall victim to a violent crime, we’re here to represent your case and explain how to claim CICA compensation.

As serious injury specialists, we fully understand that the road ahead is far from straight forward. But ultimately, if you are a victim of a criminal assault, you do not have to face this fight alone.

 

How the criminal injury claims process works:

 

  • If your case is accepted, one of our expert serious injury lawyers will book a convenient time to call and discuss your individual claim
  • We’ll be as transparent as possible around timeframes and potential compensatory values
  • You’ll be always kept in the picture and receive a direct line of communication by your own dedicated legal professional

Don’t worry, we expect that you will have hundreds of questions.

When we make a CICA claim on your behalf,it means you can focus your energy on getting back to full health.

 

How long the process generally lasts

This really depends on the individual circumstances of the claim. It is not uncommon for cases to last around the 12-18 month marker, although complex or serious injury cases will quite often continue for a much longer period of time.

 

How we communicate the claims process

At Fletchers Serious Injury, we keep the customer at the forefront of everything we do. Our aim is to support you throughout the entirety of your case. This includes regular communication. We work hard to ensure you are aware of what is happening at each stage of the claims process.

As a victim of a violent crime, you can claim yourself for CICA criminal injuries compensation, but there are plenty of benefits to working with us:

 

  • There’s always red tape to cut through, but we know how to handle that
  • A designated case handler to each claim
  • You’ll be walked through the potential scenarios and hurdles ahead

At Fletchers Serious Injury, not only are we familiar with the CICA process, having dealt with countless cases involving criminal injury, but we are serious injury specialist and can help victims navigate around the complexities of the legal process.

 

If you are a victim or a witness of a criminal attack, you could entitled to CICA criminal injuries compensation. Call our expert lawyers today.

 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

We can help you

Tell us what happened to you: Call us on 0330 013 0251 Or send us an email
Request a callback when it's convenient for you to talk
Start your claim (No win - no fee)