You might have recently been the victim of a serious assault or crime, and The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) might have come up on online searches if you’re looking for compensation for your injuries. But who are the CICA, and how could they help you? Within this guide, we will explain who the CICA are and how they could help you after you have suffered criminal injuries.
Key Takeaways
- You could get compensation if you were a victim of a violent crime in Great Britain through the CICA
- If awarded, compensation from the CICA can cover physical, emotional and financial harm.
- Valid claims can be considered by the CICA even if you have a criminal record.
- There’s a 2-year time limit within which to claim through the CICA, but exceptions are made.
- At Legal Expert, our solicitors could handle your claim through a type of No Win No Fee agreement. This provides a funding option for our solicitor’s services.
Please read on to learn more about claiming compensation through the CICA. Additionally, our dedicated team of advisors can assess your claim at no cost to you. If eligible, they could connect you to our solicitors to manage your claim today:
- Call on 0800 073 8804
- Contact us online for a free evaluation.
- Use the live chat pop-up
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who Are The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority?
- What Is The CICA Claims Process?
- Do I Have To Report My Injuries To The Police To Make A CICA Claim?
- In Order To Claim, Does My Attacker Have To Be Prosecuted?
- Can I Claim With The CICA If I Have A Criminal Record?
- Am I Able To Make A CICA Claim On Behalf Of A Loved One?
- The Injuries That Can Be Claimed Through The CICA
- The CICA Claim Time Limits
- How Can Legal Expert Help Me Make A CICA Claim?
- Learn More
Who Are The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority?
The CICA is a government body that operates within the Ministry of Justice. It compensates victims of violent crimes in England, Scotland, and Wales, as well as those involved in incidents on aircraft and vessels registered here. The CICA uses the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 to assess claims and calculate compensation.
The CICA’s purpose is to provide an avenue of compensation to victims who cannot seek damages from any other avenue, such as directly against the perpetrator or a vicariously liable third party.
To be able to claim through the CICA, you will need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- You must have been injured in a crime of violence, as defined in Annexe B of the CICA Scheme. This includes sexual abuse, assault (such as actual bodily harm) and arson.
- The incident must have taken place in Great Britain or a relevant place, as explained above.
- You must have reported the incident to the police.
- Your claim must be started within the time limit. We explain what this is in a later section.
We explain the specific claims process in the next section. But if you are asking, ‘Who are the CICA and how could they help me?’ keep reading. Alternatively, connect with our friendly advisors for immediate free guidance.
What Is The CICA Claims Process?
The CICA claims process can have three stages, starting with an initial decision, a review and a final decision:
- Firstly, the claim is submitted to the CICA. During this submission, you will need to provide medical evidence of the injuries you have suffered, a crime reference number to prove the incident was reported and evidence that you meet the residency requirements.
- The CICA will review the claim and the evidence. If they determine that compensation should be paid, they calculate the amount and inform you of their decision via post. If you disagree with the initial decision, you have 56 days to put forward a written application review request, enclosing any additional evidence you wish them to consider.
- If you are dissatisfied with the decision after this review, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation). You will need to explain why you think the CICA’s decision was wrong and provide any additional material that supports your appeal.
Each claim is assessed on its merit. Our solicitors can support you throughout this process and ensure the essential time constraints are kept in mind. Call the advisory team now to see if they can help you.
Do I Have To Report My Injuries To The Police To Make A CICA Claim?
Yes, you will need to report your injuries to the police to make a CICA claim. You must present a statement and cooperate fully with any investigations by the police or associated authorities. In addition, you must also be willing to press charges against any suspect or defendant.
The CICA will also use the crime reference number you provide them with following this report to liaise with the police and retrieve any additional information they may need regarding the incident and your claim.
If you are still unsure what the CICA is and how they could help you, contact our advisors today.
In Order To Claim, Does My Attacker Have To Be Prosecuted?
No, the attacker does not need to have been caught or prosecuted in order to claim through the CICA. Compensation can also be awarded in the absence of an identified suspect.
However, as stated above, the crime must be reported to the police, your case must meet the eligibility requirements, and you must have the required evidence in order to claim through the CICA.
Our solicitors can help guide you through the CICA’s claiming process. To see if you could be eligible to work with one of our solicitors, you can contact our advisors today,
Can I Claim With The CICA If I Have A Criminal Record?
Yes, you could claim with the CICA even with a criminal record. However, it will depend on the timing and nature of the conviction. For example, serious unspent criminal convictions may result in a reduced compensation amount or a claim being refused.
Each CICA is assessed individually, and a variety of factors are considered. Penalty points can be applied to the claim.
If you appoint one of our solicitors, they will strive to ensure that your claim is detailed and supported by strong evidence. Get in touch to discuss criminal records and how they might impact your CICA claim.
Am I Able To Make A CICA Claim On Behalf Of A Loved One?
You can make a CICA claim on behalf of a loved one by acting as their litigation friend. This is a family member (or responsible party) who can make a claim on behalf of those unable to make their own, such as:
- Minors (those under the age of 18).
- Those lacking the mental capacity to make their own claim.
They carry out the duties involved in the claim and make decisions in the person’s best interests.
Contact our advisors today to learn more about acting as a litigation friend, or if you are still wondering, ‘Who are the CICA?’.
The Injuries That Can Be Claimed Through The CICA
There is a wide range of injuries that can be claimed for through the CICA including physical and psychological injuries, as well as those who have suffered sexual assault.
The fixed tariff of injuries within the CICA Scheme is used to calculate how much compensation you are owed for your injury. Under the multiple injuries formula, you could claim compensation for up to 3 injuries with the amount awarded for each being:
- 100% of the compensation for the most serious injury.
- 30% is applied for the second most serious case.
- 15% of the compensation applies to the third most serious injury.
Additional compensation can also be awarded where the criminal incident resulted in the loss of a foetus, contracting an STI or becoming pregnant.
You could also claim compensation for special expenses, such as:
- Any physical aids that were damaged, such as hearing aids.
- Equipment needed to cope with your criminal injuries, such as a wheelchair.
- Home adaptations to cope with your injuries, such as installing a ramp.
However, all of these costs need to be reasonable, necessary and directly resulting from the injury. They also cannot be available for free elsewhere.
You could also claim compensation for a loss of earnings, provided that you meet the criteria.
CICA Tariff Amounts
In the table below, aside from the first entry, we have listed some of the tariff amounts for various injuries that the CICA could award you.
| INJURY TYPE | SEVERITY | CICA TARIFF AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Criminal Injuries with Special Expenses | Severe | Up to £500,000 |
| Brain injury | Very serious | £175,000 |
| Paralysis - Paraplegia | Severe | £110,000 |
| Arm | Lost function in dominant arm | £44,000 |
| Burns | Covering over 25% of the skin. | £33,000 |
| Permanent Mental Injury | Seriously disabling | £27,000 |
| Head | Severe | £16,500 |
| Severe Leg Damage | To both legs causing a continuing significant disability | £16,500 |
| Permanent blurred or double vision | Serious | £13,500 |
| Facial scarring | Serious disfigurement | £11,000 |
If your claim is successful, you will receive exactly the amount indicated for that injury by the tariff. You could also use our criminal injuries compensation calculator.
Claims For Sexual Abuse
In the table below, aside from the first entry, we have listed some of the tariff amounts that could be awarded by the CICA in cases of sexual abuse.
| INJURY | SEVERITY | CICA TARIFF AMOUNTS |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Criminal Injuries With Special Expenses | Severe | Up to £500,000 |
| Non-Consensual Penile Penetration | Causing serious internal injuries and a severe mental illness | £44,000 |
| Causing serious internal injuries and a moderate mental illness | £33,000 | |
| Causing a severe mental illness | £27,000 | |
| 2+ attackers | £13,500 | |
| Sexual assault | Causing permanent severe mental illness | £27,000 |
| Causing serious internal injuries | £22,000 | |
| Pattern of repetitive incidents lasting 3+ years | £8,200 | |
| Severe | £3,300 |
If you’d like help to put together a CICA compensation claim, speak to us first. Our solicitors are experts at guiding clients through the CICA process.
The CICA Claim Time Limits
There is generally a 2-year time limit to claim through the CICA. This runs from the date the incident took place. However, if exceptional circumstances meant you were unable to claim within this timeframe, the CICA may grant you an exception.
For cases involving those injured as a minor, the time limits are as follows:
- If the incident was reported to the police prior to their 18th birthday- the time limit will run from the person’s 18th birthday.
- If the incident wasn’t reported to the police prior to their 18th birthday – the time limit will commence from the date this report is made. It will also need to be proven that exceptional circumstances stopped this report being made sooner, e.g. cases of historical abuse.
Call our advisory team for guidance on time limits. Understanding what the CICA is and the criteria they use are subjects we can help with, so get in touch.
How Can Legal Expert Help Me Make A CICA Claim?
A Legal Expert solicitor could help you make a CICA claim in a number of ways. Firstly, our solicitors have decades of expertise handling criminal injury claims. In fact, they’ve helped secure over £90 million in compensation for their clients. Soem of the way one of our solicitors could help you include:
- Help with gathering evidence for your CICA claim.
- Ensure your claim is submitted within the time limit.
- Support with appealing the CICA’s decision.
- Ensure your compensation covers your injuries and special expenses.
- Explain any legal terminology used.
Our solicitors provide their services through a type of No Win No Fee contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). With this in place, you won’t need to pay for your solicitor’s services:
- Upfront
- During the claims progression
- If the claim is not a success
If your CICA claim is a success, the solicitor working on your case will take a success fee from the compensation. This fee is a fixed percentage as set out in the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013. This ensures that the majority of the compensation goes to you.
Contact Our No Win No Fee Criminal Injury Solicitors
Interested in learning more? Take a moment to get in touch with our team. They will answer definitively ‘Who are the CICA?’ and any questions you might have about your claim.
- Call on 0800 073 8804
- Contact us online for a free evaluation.
- Use the live chat pop-up
Learn More
Learn more about criminal injury claims:
- Read some FAQs about sexual abuse compensation.
- Here is information on child abuse claims.
- You can read about claiming for domestic violence.
External information to help:
- Read how to get copies of your medical records from the NHS.
- Guidance on claiming Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you cannot work from GOV.UK
- Learn more about the CICA Scheme
We hope this guide has helped answer the question ‘Who are the CICA?’. If you have any additional questions, please contact our team.
