Compensation Claims For Victims Of Terrorist Attacks

By Stephen Burke. Last Updated 18th October 2021. This guide on terrorist attack victim compensation claims will provide you with information on taking legal action if you’ve been injured in an act of terror.

In recent years there have been several high-profile and devastating terror attacks in the UK. These have been carried out by individuals and organisations. Some of the most devastating of these in terms of loss of life, injury, and the effect on the country include the Westminster Attack, the Manchester Arena bombing, and the London Bridge attack. All of which occurred in 2017. These attacks caused the deaths of many people, and injured even more, either physically, mentally, or both.

The effects of these attacks extend far beyond the people who were the initial victims. Their family and friends may be affected and suffer psychologically. Emergency responders, members of the police, ambulance, and fire services can also be traumatised by the scene of the attack and the circumstances with which they need to deal with. This can lead to conditions such as PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder being experienced by people affected by these attacks.

Attacks abroad

Terrorist attack victim compensation claims

As well as being affected by terrorist incidents in the UK, British Citizens or Residents could also be caught up in or affected by terror attacks or hijackings whilst outside the UK, whether travelling abroad for holidays, family visits, or business.

If you have been affected by a terrorist attack or a hijacking, you may be eligible to claim compensation as well as additional benefits from the British Government, and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. Our team can help you to make a terrorist attack compensation claim. Our team of personal injury solicitors have the expertise to help you through what can be a very traumatic time.

For more information on how we can help you make a personal injury claim, please read this guide.

Select A Section

• A Guide To Terrorist Attack Victim Compensation Claims
• What Is Considered An Act Of Terror?
• How Are Incidents Of Terrorism Dealt With By The CPS?
• Compensation For Victims Of Terrorist Incidents In The UK
• Compensation For Victims Of Terrorist Attacks Abroad
• Terrorism Abroad Compensation Schemes
• Other Places Where Victims Of Terror Can Get Support, Such As Charity, Or Welfare
• Eligibility To Claim Compensation From the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
• What Can I Claim If Affected By A Terror Attack In The UK Or Abroad
• How Much Compensation Are Victims Of Terrorism Entitled To Claim?
• No Win No Fee Terrorist Attack Victim Compensation Claims
• Why Make A Terrorism Or Hijacking Victim Compensation Claim With Legal Expert?
• Contact Us Today About Terrorist Attack Victim Compensation Claims
• Additional Resources On Terrorist Attack Victim Compensation Claims

A Guide To Terrorist Attack Victim Compensation Claims

When discussing recent incidents of terrorism and terrorist attacks in the UK, or abroad, it can first be helpful to look at how likely terrorist attacks are. It can also help to look at what your chances of being caught up in or injured by such an incident, whether at home in the UK, or abroad.

Whilst recent years have seen a wave of terrorism, the number of people injured or killed or injured in terrorist attacks on the UK mainland has fallen significantly since its height in the 1980s. The year with the highest number of victims of terrorism in the UK was 1988, with the Lockerbie bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. You can see more information about terrorist attack statistics in this parliamentary report.

If you have been harmed by or in a terrorist attack, or otherwise directed affected by an attack such as the London Bridge attack, the Manchester Arena bombing, or the Westminster attack, you could be able to claim damages from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, also known as the CICA. They can consider terrorism compensation claims under the 2012 Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme. They are also able to assist with gathering evidence to support terrorist attack victim compensation claims.

Dealing with hijackings and terrorist attacks can be very complicated and can be very tragic. In many cases, there can be multiple parties involved in, or affected by the attack. To be able to make a terrorism compensation claim and to get the settlement that you are eligible to, you need to have a highly experienced personal injury solicitor on your side to help you at each step of the journey.

UK Terrorism Statistics

Statistics graph terrorist attack victims

Terrorism is not a new threat in the UK. Between 1970 and 2018 terrorism caused the deaths of 3,411 people. The majority of these deaths occurred in Northern Ireland and took place between 1970 and 1990. Following the end of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, the rate of terrorism has significantly declined in the UK.

Significant terrorist incidents which have happened in the last few decades include:

• 1988 Lockerbie Bombing killed 271 people.
• July 7th 2005 bombings in London.
• The 2017 Westminster Bridge attack killed 4 people.
• 2017 Manchester Arena Bombing killed 22 and injured 139.
• The Finsbury Park Attack of 2017 where 1 man died.
• The Parsons Green bombing. This resulted in burn and crush injuries but no fatalities.
• 2018 Westminster car attack in which 3 people were injured.
• 2019 London Bridge stabbing. 3 people were killed and a further 3 were injured.
• 2020 Streatham stabbing. 2 people were injured and the perpetrator was killed.

Over the same period, there were many further aborted or attempted acts of terrorism. These were prevented by the security services. Some of the attacks were only at the planning stage. Other plots were prevented before the act could be committed.

What Is Considered An Act Of Terror?

There are many different definitions of what terrorism is, and what does or does not count as an act of terrorism. For the purposes of a personal injury claim, all we need to focus on is the legal definition in the UK.

The Crown Prosecution Service has a detailed guide on terrorism and terrorist attacks. They define terrorism as the threat or use of action which is designed to intimidate the public, influence governments, or international organisations. Terrorism is also defined as being carried out to advance either a religious, political, ideological, or racial cause or motive.

Any of the following can qualify as terrorism and can be part of terrorist attack victim compensation claims.

• Serious forms of violence carried out against people, or damage to people’s property.
• The endangerment of life’s other than that of the perpetrator.
• Endangering the public’s health and safety and creating risks.
• Actions that are designed to disrupt or interfere with electronic systems.

You can find out more information on what does and does not count as a form of terrorism for which you can make terror attacks compensation by reading the CPS terrorism guide. This could help you see who can make terrorist attack victim compensation claims.

How Are Incidents Of Terrorism Dealt With By The CPS?

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) acts independently from the Police and the Government. Its role is to prosecute cases of criminal activity which the police have investigated. The CPS make sure that perpetrators are prosecuted for offences. They choose whether a case should be prosecuted, what charges might be applicable, and prepare court cases. The CPS may also provide help and support to both victims and witnesses.

The CPS will deal with a case of terrorism in a similar way to other cases. Such cases might be distinct in that the perpetrator will have different motivations in carrying out the act of terrorism. Such cases will be handled by expert and specialist branches of the CPS, such as the Special Crime and Counter-Terrorism Division.

Compensation For Victims Of Terrorist Incidents In The UK

If you have been injured in any of the recent terrorist attacks in the UK, such as the Westminster attack, you could make a terrorist attack victim compensation claim. One of the main ways for people to do this in the UK is to claim via the CICA. Depending upon the terrorist attack which you were injured in or affected by, there may also be additional support mechanisms or specific compensation schemes to which you can apply. Examples include the various organisations offering Manchester terror attack support.

If you have been harmed (injured) physically or suffered psychological harm, lost a family member or loved one, or were witness to a terrorist attack that claimed the life of or injured a loved one, you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim for the effect this has had on you.

Compensation For Victims Of Terrorist Attacks Abroad

Whilst there have been several recent incidents of terrorism in the UK in recent years, British holidaymakers can and also have been caught up in such incidents when abroad. Our team could help you to make a hijacking claim or claim for injuries suffered in an act of terror.

As well as victims of UK based terrorist attacks, such as the London Bridge attack being able to claim via the CICA, so victims of terrorism abroad can also make a terror attack compensation claim via the CICA. You can find specific information on what you can claim for, how to claim, and incidents that qualify for compensation in this government guide to terrorism abroad claims.

Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme

You may be able to apply for compensation under the government-backed Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme if you’ve been affected by a specific terrorist incident that has occurred since 27 November 2012. There are certain criteria you’ll have to meet to qualify for the scheme. For instance, you must be a British, Swiss, EU or EEA citizen who lived in the UK for at least 3 years immediately before the terrorist incident happened. Alternatively, members of the UK armed forces (or a close relative or family member of one) may be able to apply for the scheme.

Under the scheme, you may possibly be able to claim for one of the following things:

• You suffered physical and/or mental injuries in a particular terrorist act.
• You witnessed a specific terrorist act that injured a loved one.
• You’re the family member or partner of someone who was killed in a terrorist act.

At the time of publication, victims of the terrorist incidents at the dates and locations specified below may be able to claim compensation:

• 19 December 2016 – Berlin Germany
• 14 July 2016 – Nice, France
• 1 May 2016 – Gaziantep, Turkey
• 22 March 2016 – Brussels, Belgium
• 13 November 2015 – Paris, France
• 26 June 2015 – Port el Kantaoui (Sousse), Tunisia
• 17 May 2015 – Kabul airport, Afghanistan

These are just some of the terrorist incidents for which you may be able to claim compensation under the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme.

There may be other incidents for which you can claim compensation. To find a more complete list, view the government guide listed above. The Government UK website has a guide on finding out if you’re eligible to claim under this scheme. You can also contact us for advice on overseas terrorist attack victim compensation claims.

Terrorism Abroad Compensation Schemes

British Citizens and Residents are not just limited to being able to claim compensation for incidents such as the Westminster Bridge terror attack, or the Manchester terror attack. There is also special compensation and support schemes for victims of terrorism abroad.

In 2012, the British Government created the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme. You can find details of this scheme at the link above. This scheme is designed to support and compensate the victims of terrorism, as well as their families. You can make a claim through the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme. You could also independently make a claim against those responsible for your injuries. This scheme may not always cover cases of terrorism. If the terrorist attack you were harmed in took place after 2012, it is likely that you will be able to make a terrorism attack abroad claim.

Other Places Where Victims Of Terror Can Get Support, Such As Charity, Or Welfare

If you have been injured or otherwise harmed in a terrorist attack you may need help in a variety of different ways, extending beyond immediate financial support and terrorist attack compensation. Whether you were harmed in an incident that happened in the UK or abroad, there may be other support schemes, such as various Manchester attack support schemes. These may be Government schemes, charitable schemes, and forms of welfare.

Following various acts of terror such as the Westminster Bridge terror attack, various charitable funds have been launched to help those who have been impacted. You can find information on different charities and charitable trusts which you may be able to apply to for compensation.

In addition, there are sometimes extra forms of welfare that people can apply for. These are separate from making terrorist attack victim compensation claims and seeking charitable support. In some instances, the DWP, or Department of Work and Pensions have set up individual ways to support the victims of terrorism. You can find out about any additional forms of benefits or welfare which you may be eligible to claim on this page from the Department of Work and Pensions.

Eligibility To Claim Compensation From the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme

In the UK the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and the Ministry of Justice (CICA & MOJ) have responsibility for providing support to terrorism victims in the UK, once any initial response process is complete, i.e after medical care and emergency care has been provided. This support includes providing support through the criminal justice systems and managing terrorist attack compensation.

If you or your property have suffered malicious damage, you could be eligible to claim compensation. You can claim compensation if you have suffered physical injuries or property damage through the following GOV.UK pages.

• Claim compensation as a victim of a terrorist attack in the UK
• Claim compensation as a victim of a hijacking or terrorist attack abroad

What Can I Claim If Affected By A Terror Attack In The UK Or Abroad

There are many different ways in which terrorism could affect a person. It could be through physical or psychological harm, post-traumatic stress disorder, damage to your property or the wider effect upon your life. However, if you are making a terrorist attack compensation claim, the way your immediate damages will work is the same way as any other type of claim.  The largest part of your claim will often be for the actual physical harm suffered. This is called general damages. We will look at some common examples of general damages in the personal injury claims calculator in the following section. However, this is not the only type of terrorist or hijacking compensation damages you can claim.

You will also often be able to claim for the wider effect the incident had on you. This is usually called ‘special damages’.

You could be compensated for any healthcare, prescription, or medical costs that you have had to meet. This could cover private healthcare if needed. It could also extend through to more specialist support, such as physiotherapy, counselling, or other longer-term support. You will also often be able to claim for the cost of any prescription medication.

Your injuries could also leave you needing help and assistance around the home on a day-to-day level. This could include help with household chores, doing shopping, or even help and assistance with personal care. You could claim for the cost of private help, or if a friend helps you, you may claim for the income which they have lost.

To learn more about what else you can include within terrorist attack victim compensation claims, please get in touch.

Damages for the effects on others

As a result of terrorism and the injuries inflicted upon you or a loved one, you may have had to take time off work whilst recovering. You can very often claim for these losses. People injured in such ways may find that they experience reduced pay, such as statutory sick pay. This may represent a significant loss of income. How much you can claim will be calculated based on your prior (and future projected) income.

Either in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist event or during your recovery, you may have had to travel to medical appointments or other appointments connected to your injuries. Keep the receipts for these costs as they can very often be recovered as a part of your claim.

Finally, there may have been additional costs and expenses which you have incurred directly because of what has happened to you. If this is the case, make sure that you also keep receipts or invoices for these. Just because we have not highlighted them above, does not mean that you may not be able to claim for them. When you talk to a personal injury lawyer, they can review what expenses can be included as part of your claim.

How Much Compensation Are Victims Of Terrorism Entitled To Claim?

Without knowing the exact circumstances of the terrorist incident you were harmed in, how you were injured, and how these injuries have affected you, it is difficult for us to say how much compensation you could be owed. There are many personal injury claims calculators available online. However, until your injuries have been assessed, the figures from such calculators may not be accurate. In this particular calculator, we look at examples of how much people could claim for different injuries.

The compensation payments included within the table above are taken from tariffs utilised by the CICA. The way these tariffs are applied is different compared to how compensation is determined during the majority of different types of personal injury claims.

When claims for injuries caused by terrorism are received by the CICA, they may be compensated for under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme’s Tariff of Injuries 2012. This compensation scheme is used by the CICA when handling claims involving violent crime. There are tariffs that can be applied to a wide range of physical and mental injuries.

If the scheme gets applied to a successful claim you make to the CICA, you normally get 100% from the tariff applied to whatever is considered the most severe injury. If you have suffered more than one injury, then you can also gain 30% from the set tariff applied to the injury considered second for severity. For the injury considered third in terms of severity, 15% from the tariff applied to that particular injury is offered.

For more advice on compensation payments for terrorism victims, please contact our team today.

No Win No Fee Terrorist Attack Victim Compensation Claims

As a victim of terrorism, and someone who is seeking to make a terrorism or hijacking compensation claim, we believe that you should not have to reach into your pocket to start a personal injury claim. We also believe that anyone who has been the victim of terrorism should be able to take action to get the compensation that they are due. They should also be able to claim with the best legal team they can find. This is why Legal Expert can assist victims of terrorism through no win, no fee agreements.

What does No Win No Fee mean for me? Put simply, it really does do what the description says. It means that in the event of losing your claim, you will have nothing to pay. By using a No Win No Fee solicitor, rather than one paid by the hour, you will know they are highly motivated to work on your case and secure your compensation. You can also take comfort in knowing that you have a higher chance of getting compensation. This type of agreement is usually only offered in cases where there is a high chance of getting compensation.

To take advantage of our No Win No Fee service, please contact our team today on the number below.

Why Make A Terrorism Or Hijacking Victim Compensation Claim With Legal Expert?

No matter how you were affected by a terrorist attack or terrorism, we could help you to claim compensation. We can help you to find Manchester attack support and can provide Manchester terror attack survivors with the help that they need to make successful compensation claims.

Our team are experienced in a variety of potentially difficult and even complex cases. They can be on hand to help you navigate how to make a claim. They can also explain what personal injury claims time limits may apply to your case. To start your claim, please contact us today to get started.

Contact Us Today About Terrorist Attack Victim Compensation Claims

To begin any terrorist attack victim compensation claims, please get in contact with us.

• Call and talk to our expert team at 0800 073 8804
• You can also talk to our team online using our live chat service or our online contact form
• Email information about your case to Office@LegalExpert.co.uk

We are here seven days a week to start working on your case.

Additional Resources On Terrorist Attack Victim Compensation Claims

Below we have included external resources we think are important sources of information for those making terror attacks compensation claims.

Terrorism – Crown Prosecution Service
This section of the CPS website contains information about what terrorism is and what it isn’t. It also explains how incidents are dealt with by the CPS.

Support For Victims Of The Manchester Arena Bombing
This organisation helps to provide Manchester terror attack support. Help includes financial support to those affected by the 2017 Manchester Arena Bombing.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Claims
In this guide, we look at how you can make a compensation claim for injuries or harm caused by someone else’s criminal actions.

Different Types Of Criminal Injury Claims
On this page, you can find links to our different criminal injury claims guides. Examples include claims for acid attacks, assaults, manslaughter, and different forms of abuse.

Thank you for reading our guide on terrorist attack victim compensation claims.