Criminal injury compensation claims solicitors

‘Criminal injury’ is a broad term that describes any incident where someone has caused physical and/or psychological harm to you or a loved one. It is also when the other person will be subject to criminal charges for the incident and causing your injuries.

This can include:

• Actual bodily harm (ABH), grievous bodily harm (GBH) or serious common assault
• Stabbings and shootings
• Hit-and-runs or deliberate vehicle-related incidents
• Sexual abuse either as an adult or a child

You can also make a criminal injury compensation claim on behalf of a loved one who loses their life as a victim of violent crime. If you are not sure whether you have a criminal injury claim, get in touch by calling 0800 124 4845 or using our online contact form − we are ready to help.

According to official statistics, there has been a long-term decline in violent crime across England and Wales. But that does not mean criminal injuries are uncommon − and it is no consolation to the victims. After all, the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimates that there were 1.3 million incidents of violence in the year to September 2019 with many causing serious injuries.

NHS England data for 2018-19 reveals there were more than 18,500 hospital admissions caused by “assault by bodily force”, most of which (15,765) were emergency admissions.

Violent crime is still a significant enough problem and it can dramatically change a life in a split-second. If you become a victim, you are entitled to make a claim and we can help you do so.

If you suffer an injury as a result of a violent crime, you might be able to make a criminal injury claim. For this to happen, the following conditions must be met:

• You reported the crime as soon as reasonably possible
• The incident took place in England, Wales or Scotland
• Your claim meets the minimum CICA threshold of £1000

If you are injured in an incident overseas, we can still help by providing advice about any similar schemes in the country where your injury occurred.

Our criminal injury solicitors might also be able to help if you witnessed a violent crime that has left a psychological impact on you. If you are not sure if you have a claim and would like to find out more, our team can put you in the picture – call 0800 124 4845 or get in touch today.

Our team are always sensitive to the fact that being the victim of a violent crime is a distressing time. Of course, rebuilding your life must take priority and the idea of making a claim might not feel important at the time. Yet, we believe a claim can be a vital part of the process.

Firstly, it can help you receive recognition for your pain and suffering. No one should expect to be the victim of a crime but the claims process can help you realise that you are not alone.

More importantly, however, a criminal injury claim ensures that you are not left out of pocket if you are affected by a violent crime. The compensation you receive can help cover any costs you have incurred or earnings you have lost, as well as any future expenses you may have.

A violent crime can affect different people in different ways. It can depend on the severity of the injuries, as well as the nature of the crime itself. But our experience in supporting criminal injury claims shows us that the impact continues to be felt physically and emotionally long into the future − both by the victim and their loved ones.

Head injuries resulting from violent crime

In the 12-month period to the end of April 2015, data from NHS England highlights how criminal assaults are more likely to result in injuries to the head – rather than any other part of the body. With any blow or jolt to the head, there is always an increased risk of brain damage. And it can sometimes be hard to get a full appreciation of just how devastating the impact can be.

In our experience of handling criminal injury claims, the impact of a head or brain injury is what we deal with most often. Our team of legal experts see the wide-ranging and far-reaching effect of such injuries first-hand – from the physical legacy of a violent assault to the emotional trauma associated with such a distressing experience. And this guides us in the support we offer.

Paralysis as a result of a violent crime

One of the most life-changing injuries that a victim of violent crime can suffer is a spinal injury. Such injuries occur when the spinal cord is damaged, either when the back is hit with force or wounds are inflicted with a sharp object.

Sadly, recovery from injuries to the spine is limited, so early rehabilitation is crucial in helping you regain as much of your quality of life as possible. Our specialist criminal injury solicitors will work with you to secure the rehabilitation and compensation you need.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and emotional injuries

While the physical effects of a violent crime can heal, the emotional impact can last much longer. The trauma and distress of being the victim of a crime can understandably be hard to overcome. But you and your family are not alone, and we can help you get the support you need.

Many victims of violent crimes will have been subject to a terrifying ordeal which may result in causing psychological as well as physical injury, e.g. post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and other psychological conditions.

Our criminal injury solicitors have expertise in handling PTSD claims that arise from acts of violent crime. At what can be an uncertain time, you can have total confidence in us to handle your claim with sensitivity and a deep understanding of what you are going through.

Making a criminal injury claim with Boyes Turner is often a simple and straightforward process.

The first step can sometimes feel like the biggest one to take − and that is to contact us. But as soon as you take that step, you will be in the safe hands of our criminal injury solicitors.

In a free initial consultation, we will find out more about your experience in your own words. It can be hard to relive such a traumatic event, but this lets us advise you properly and correctly.

If we believe you have a strong case for a criminal injury claim, the next step is to submit your online application to CICA. But we will do this for you. After this, here is what you can expect:

• CICA will start the investigation process using the information we provide. This involves contacting the police and any witnesses to confirm how your injuries were sustained, as well as contacting any doctors/hospitals who treated you to support your claim.
  
  In addition, CICA must confirm that your behaviour at the time of the incident did not contribute to the crime.
• Once CICA has enough evidence to satisfy that you qualify, they then make an offer of compensation. If we believe this amount is too low, your criminal injury solicitor will be able to appeal the decision for you − and help you obtain the amount that you deserve.

To take that first step and start the process of obtaining criminal injury compensation, talk to us today − call 0800 124 4845 or get in touch using our online form.

CICA is an organisation sponsored by the Ministry of Justice and was set up to help innocent victims of crime. It is responsible for paying compensation to individuals “who have been physically or mentally injured” as the result of a violent crime in England, Wales or Scotland.

It is possible to make a personal injury claim directly against your attacker. We do not advise this, however, because it is difficult to enforce any judgement or recover any compensation.

CICA awards compensation ranging from £1,000 up to a maximum of £500,000. The amount you could be awarded will depend on your unique circumstances and takes into account:

• The injury itself, whether physical or psychological
• Any care received in the past − and any you may need in the future
• Any loss of earnings suffered − and any you may incur in the future
• The cost of any adaptations to your home as a result of your injury
• Funeral expenses if a loved one passes away due to a violent crime

If CICA does not believe you qualify for criminal injury compensation, you still might be able to get financial support through its hardship fund.

To make a criminal injury claim to CICA, you generally must apply within two years of the date of the injuries. If you were a child under the age of 18 at the time of the injuries, you must apply by your 20^th birthday.

There are some situations where there are exceptions to this, however. Please do contact us to find out if this could apply to you − get in touch via our online form or call 0800 124 4845.

We have a range of funding arrangements available, all of which will ensure that you will owe nothing if your claim is unsuccessful. Many criminal injury claims we support are funded under what is known as a ‘Contingency Agreement’.

CICA does not award legal costs for a successful criminal injury claim, which means we cannot represent you on a “no win no fee” basis. But a Contingency Agreement works in a similar way and means you will not pay anything if your case fails.

If you win, however, we will receive a pre-agreed share of the amount you receive.

Find out more about funding your claim with us. You can also call 0800 124 4845 or contact us to discuss the most appropriate arrangement for you.

CICA deals with many criminal injury claims each year and follows a priority system where the highest priority is given to its oldest cases. It will, however, seek to compensate those most in need quicker and can also prioritise cases where a decision is more straightforward.

It is normal for claims to take 12-18 months to settle, although complex cases can take longer. CICA will also not make its final decision if you are still receiving treatment for your injuries. If your settlement is delayed, however, it may be possible to obtain an interim payment.

For more details on your rights when making a criminal injury claim, visit the CICA website.

If you or a member of your family suffer as the result of a violent crime, our specialist criminal injury solicitors are here to help. Call us today on 0800 124 4845 or get in touch via our online form for a quick, free, no-obligation chat about getting the compensation you deserve.