Last Updated 9th September 2025. Having been the victim of a violent crime, you may be wondering, “How much compensation will I get for assault?” To help you navigate the process of making an assault claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), we have created this detailed guide.

You’ll see information on important topics including the eligibility criteria in criminal injury compensation claims, the evidence you’ll need to provide to support that claim and how assault compensation is calculated using a fixed tariff of injury.

Towards the end of the guide we examine the type of No Win No Fee contract offered by highly experienced criminal injury solicitors, highlighting how you’ll benefit when starting your assault claim under the particular type of contract they can offer their services under.

To ask our advisors, “Can you sue someone for assault?” and to get a free assessment of your eligibility, get in touch today using the contact information provided here:

• Call the team on 0800 073 8804
• You can also contact us using the online form.
• Open the live chat window in the bottom left of the screen.

How Much Compensation Will I Get for Assault

In order to qualify for compensation for being attacked, your injuries have to be valued above £1,000. This is the minimum amount of victim compensation that is offered in the tariff set out in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. The CICA tariff outlines various injuries and their value in terms of compensation payouts.

Below we have created a list of injuries included in the CICA tariff and the compensation you could be awarded if your assault claim is successful. Please note that we have not listed every featured injury, so if you can’t find your injury, get in touch and we can confirm what compensation you might receive.

Compensation Amounts

1. Multiple very severe injuries, as well as significant loss of earnings and special expenses, will result in a maximum payment of £500,000.
2. A very serious brain injury where the victim has little to no response to the environment or language function and requires full-time professional care will be valued at £250,000.
3. The loss of both thumbs is valued at £55,000.
4. The fracture/dislocation of both hips resulting in significant disability is valued at £16,500.
5. Fractures/dislocations of both ankles that cause significant ongoing disability are likewise valued at £16,500.
6. A chest injury requiring a thoracotomy with the extensive repair or total removal of one or more organs is valued at £16,500.
7. Foot injuries where the tarsal bones in both feet are fractured, causing serious disability, are valued at £13,500.

Special Expenses

You may still be wondering questions such as, ‘How much compensation will I get for assault by making a criminal injury claim?’ Whilst each case is calculated on a case-by-case basis, you could also include the costs of any financial losses you experienced. Otherwise known as special expenses, this head of loss can cover any additional financial costs you suffered due to your injuries.

Special expenses may include:

• The costs of any damaged property from the incident that you rely upon, such as glasses or a walking stick
• Any specialist equipment needed to aid your injuries, such as hoists and wheelchairs
• Home adaptation costs to accommodate any permanent injuries, such as stairlifts and ramps
• Any care costs relating to your bodily functions or food preparation

Moreover, you could also include any loss of earnings you may have experienced due to your injuries. However, the CICA has strict eligibility criteria you must meet in order to claim compensation for these.

To learn more about claiming for special expenses and loss of earnings after an assault, please feel free to contact one of our helpful advisors today.

Compensation For Assault – Can I Claim For Multiple Injuries Through The CICA?

When you claim for assault through the CICA, you could be awarded compensation for more than one injury. An example might be if you suffer a broken bone from physical violence, but also a psychological injury.

How much compensation for assault injuries you get is decided by the multiple injury formula. Essentially, this means that you will receive 100% of the compensation for the injury that is valued highest. Additionally, you’ll get 30% for the second-highest and just 15% for the third-highest.

However, it’s worth noting that you may be able to claim criminal injuries compensation for assault from a different tariff that does not apply this formula. For example, if you became pregnant, lost a foetus or contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Speak to our advisors at any time, and they can answer any questions about claiming assault compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

Criminal Compensation Claim – Eligibility

Assault is a broad category of crimes that are loosely defined as a physical attack or causing the apprehension of immediate unlawful physical violence.

If you have suffered injuries due a violent crime, such as an assault, you could be eligible to make a criminal injury claim for assault compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This executive agency administers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012, providing the victims of such crimes with a means of claiming compensation.

The following eligibility criteria will need to be met in order to make an assault claim through the CICA:

1. You were injured in a crime of violence. The Scheme provides some examples of this, one of them being assault.
2. That crime occurred in Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) or another relevant place.
3. The crime was reported to the police.

To find out if you’re eligible to claim compensation for assault or to ask any questions about the criminal injury claims process, talk to our advisors today using the contact information given above.

Assault Compensation – Do I Need Evidence In Order To Claim?

To claim compensation for assault from the CICA, certain types of evidence need to be gathered for your case. Evidence for your assault compensation claim should include the following:

• A crime reference number is a requirement for making a CICA claim. Once you’ve reported the incident to the police, a crime reference number will be provided for you. The CICA can then use this number to liaise with the police and acquire any information they may need from them for your case.
• Medical evidence that confirms the criminal injuries you have suffered and the treatment required, such as your medical records.
• Proof that you meet the residency requirements to make a CICA claim.

If you are supported by a criminal injury solicitor, then they can assist with gathering evidence. To get more advice about gathering evidence, or to ask other questions regarding claims, such as “how much compensation will I get for an assault?”, you can choose to contact our advisors for free today.

Types of Assault

Generally speaking, there are 3 levels of assault under UK law depending upon the level of harm intended/caused, plus also sexual assault:

• Common Assault – This is often the charge used by the police and Courts for slapping or hitting another person, and often there will be no marks or visible injury to the victim.
• Assault causing Actual Bodily Harm – Crimes considered more serious than common assaults are typically dealt with under this category. As the name suggests, this type of assault usually leads to visible bodily injuries such as scratches and bruising.
• Assault causing Grievous Bodily Harm – The most serious category of violent assault, where the assailant intended to cause serious harm to the victim, for example, by stabbing with a knife.
• Sexual Assault Or Abuse – Any sexual contact or behaviour that occurs without the victim’s consent. It includes rape, groping, drug-facilitated sexual abuse or assault, child sexual abuse, and stalking.

Can I Claim Compensation If No-One Has Been Caught or Convicted for The Assault?

If you’re wondering ‘how much compensation will I get for assault?’, the circumstances of your case may affect your eligibility. For example, if you haven’t reported the incident to the police, then you won’t be able to claim. If you have, then you could have grounds to make a claim, regardless of whether anyone has been caught or convicted.

To be eligible to claim, all that is required is that you were the victim of a crime through no fault of your own and that the assault caused injuries of some sort that have affected your life after the incident. Those injuries don’t necessarily have to be physical – for many victims and witnesses of violent assault. It is the psychological effects that are most damaging, for example, a tendency to constantly play out the assault over and over again in your mind, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, and fear of leaving the house or of entering open spaces.

Quite rightly, UK law recognises how severe these psychological after-effects can be, how much they can affect your well-being and your ability to earn a living.

Assault Claims Against A Vicariously Liable Party

In some circumstances, you might claim against a vicariously liable party instead of claiming through the CICA for assault compensation. For example, you could claim directly against your employer if you suffered injuries due to workplace violence.

However, if you are claiming compensation for assault from your employer, you will need to prove that your injuries occurred due to employer negligence. For example, if your employer was aware that you were being harrassed and assaulted in the workplace by another employee, and took no steps to prevent this, your employer could be liable for your injuries.

Previously in this guide, we looked at examples of the evidence that could be used in claims against a vicariously liable party.

Call our advisors to learn more about assault claims and when you might be able to claim against a vicariously liable party.

How Long Will It Take To Get A Compensation Payout?

The length of time it takes from starting a criminal injury claim to receiving an assault compensation payout varies on a case-by-case basis. However, the CICA aims to be efficient and have all claims assessed within a 12-month period. 

Depending on the complexity of your case, your claim may take longer than others to reach a settlement. Some factors that may determine how long it takes to obtain compensation include:

• Whether you are still receiving treatment for your injuries 
• Whether you know the third party responsible for the assault
• Whether the third party has admitted or disputed liability 
• The time it takes to calculate your compensation from your injuries and special expenses. 

Understandably, having been the victim of an assault, you may want your claim to be settled as soon as possible so you can begin to move on. Therefore, regardless of the simplicity or complexity of your claim, our solicitors will work hard to ensure your claim is settled and you obtain your compensation within a reasonable time frame. 

If you have any questions regarding the time frame of your assault claim, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our advisors. It is also useful to note that the sooner you begin the claims process, the sooner our solicitors can get to work on your claim. 

Can I Claim Compensation For Assault With A No Win No Fee Solicitor?

If you’re eligible to claim compensation for assault, you could connect with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors. Our solicitors offer many services to help their clients through the claims process, such as:

• Collecting evidence.
• Deciding how much compensation for assault you could potentially claim, and ensuring the compensation is calculated fairly.
• Explaining legal jargon.
• Sending regular case updates.
• Ensuring the claims time limit is adhered to.
• Sending correspondence to the defendant on your behalf.

Additionally, our solicitors can provide their services under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which is a specific type of No Win No Fee agreement.

If you work with one of our solicitors on your case under a CFA, you will not be charged for their services:

• Before the claims process begins.
• Throughout the whole claims process.
• If the claim is unsuccessful.

If the claim is successful, your solicitor will take a success fee. However, this success fee is not taken directly out of your pocket, and instead taken out of your compensation. Success fees are a small, legally-capped percentage. This legal cap ensures that no matter what, the majority of the compensation will be awarded to you.

To find out “How much compensation will I get for assault?”, please contact us today. If you’re eligible to make an assault claim, one of our solicitors can help you in the above ways. You can reach our team 24/7, for free, by:

• Calling us on 0800 073 8804
• Messaging us on our 24/7 live chat service
• You can contact us on our website

Useful Links

You are welcome to check out the relevant resources below:

Domestic violence and abuse

Government advice on how you can get help for yourself or a loved one subjected to domestic abuse.

NHS Domestic violence and abuse

NHS help those who are in a domestic abuse situation or if you know someone who is.

Below, you can learn more about CICA claims via our other guides:

• Can victims of revenge porn make a claim?
• How long does a criminal injury claim take?

To learn more about how much compensation you could get for assault, please get in touch today using the contact details featured in this guide.