Can I Claim Criminal Injuries?
Criminal injuries can have a significant impact on a person’s life, causing physical and emotional trauma, and even long-term effects on their mental and physical well-being. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a criminal injury, you may be eligible to claim compensation. But, how do you go about making a claim?
What is a Criminal Injury?
A criminal injury is an injury caused by a criminal act, such as assault, battery, or other violent behavior. This can include physical injuries, psychological trauma, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Criminal injuries can be caused by individuals, gangs, or organized crime groups.
Do I Qualify to Make a Claim?
To qualify to make a claim for criminal injuries, you must meet certain criteria:
• You must be a victim of a criminal act: The injury must have been caused by a criminal act, such as assault, battery, or other violent behavior.
• You must have sustained a physical or psychological injury: The injury must be a direct result of the criminal act and must be serious enough to require medical attention.
• The criminal act must have occurred in the UK: You must have been a victim of a criminal act that occurred in the UK to be eligible to make a claim.
• The police must have investigated the incident: The police must have investigated the incident and documented the details of the criminal act.
Types of Criminal Injuries
Criminal injuries can be categorized into different types, including:
• Physical injuries: Broken bones, head injuries, and other physical harm caused by physical assault or battery.
• Psychological injuries: Anxiety, depression, and PTSD caused by the traumatic experience.
• Cognitive injuries: Brain injuries, such as concussions or traumatic brain injuries, caused by physical assault or battery.
How Do I Make a Claim?
To make a claim for criminal injuries, you must follow these steps:
• Report the incident to the police: Report the incident to the police and provide a statement outlining the details of what happened.
• Seek medical attention: Seek medical attention as soon as possible after the incident to document the injury.
• Keep a record of expenses: Keep a record of expenses related to the injury, including medical bills, travel expenses, and lost earnings.
• Contact a solicitor: Contact a solicitor who specializes in criminal injury claims to discuss your case and determine whether you have a valid claim.
• Fill out a claim form: Your solicitor will help you fill out a claim form, which will outline the details of your claim.
• Submit the claim: Submit the claim form to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) for review.
What Compensation Can I Receive?
The amount of compensation you can receive for a criminal injury claim depends on the severity of the injury and the impact it has had on your life. Compensation can include:
• General damages: Compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity.
• Special damages: Compensation for out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical bills and lost earnings.
• Psychological trauma: Compensation for psychological trauma, including PTSD and depression.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)
The CICA is responsible for assessing and paying criminal injury claims. The CICA uses a tariff-based system to determine the level of compensation, with more severe injuries receiving higher amounts of compensation.
Table: CICA Tariff Schedule
Injury | Award |
---|---|
Minor injuries, such as bruises and cuts | £1,000 to £5,000 |
Moderate injuries, such as broken bones and head injuries | £5,000 to £20,000 |
Severe injuries, such as spinal cord injuries and brain damage | £20,000 to £100,000 |
Life-changing injuries, such as paralysis and blindness | £100,000 to £250,000 |
Conclusion
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a criminal injury, you may be eligible to claim compensation. The process of making a claim can be complex and time-consuming, but it is worth pursuing to obtain the compensation you deserve. By understanding the criteria for making a claim, the types of criminal injuries, and the process of making a claim, you can take the first step towards seeking justice and compensation for your injuries.