Criminal Injury Compensation Claims (CICA)

You could be entitled to make a criminal injury claim if you or your loved one has been the victim of an assault or attack. Please contact our specialists as soon as you can to discuss your case, so we can help you claim any compensation you deserve.

Frequently asked questions about criminal injury compensation claims

What is CICA?

The Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government organisation funded by the Ministry of Justice.  CICA deals with compensation claims from people who have been the innocent victims of violent crime causing them physical or mental injuries.

What are the requirements for claiming?

• You reported the incident to the police and co-operated fully with them.
• The incident happened in England, Wales or Scotland
• The incident happened within the last two years (there may be exceptions – please contact us to discuss if this applies to you)
• Your injuries are serious enough to meet the minimum award of £1000.

Who is eligible to make a criminal injury compensation claim?

You may be eligible to make a claim if:

• You were an innocent victim of a violent crime; or
• You were injured while taking reasonable steps to prevent a crime; or
• Your loved one has died as a result of a violent crime; or
• You were psychologically damaged by witnessing a loved one become the victim of a violent crime or dealing with the aftermath

Do I need a solicitor?

You can make a claim on your own, without legal assistance. However you may increase your chances of succeeding in your application for compensation if you have experienced professionals advising you.

If you have submitted your application and it was rejected by the CICA we may be able to assist you in your appeal of the CICA decision. You should be mindful that CICA claims can be subject to very tight deadlines, therefore you can significantly improve your chances to succeed in your claim if you instruct lawyers as soon as possible. 

How can I fund my claim?

Your case can be funded under a Contingency Fee Agreement. This means that if your case is unsuccessful you will not have to pay anything.

If you are successful then part of your settlement will be used to cover our legal fees. We will discuss this with you in more detail before we begin work on your case.

How much is my claim worth?

The amount of compensation is set out in the CICA guidelines. They provide the amounts you can recover dependent on your injuries.

To find out more about criminal injury compensation claims (CICA) contact Advokatai Ltd on 01618503005.