Criminal injury claims

In most cases, an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority must be made within two years of the date of the incident.

Where the injured person was a child at the time, the two‑year time limit normally begins when they reach adulthood. In cases involving childhood abuse, the CICA has discretion to extend the time limit where there are good reasons for delay. We can advise you clearly on how the rules apply to your circumstances.

Compensation is awarded under a tariff‑based system. The scheme lists specific injuries, each with a fixed value. No award is made unless the injury has a minimum tariff value of £1,000.

Additional payments may be available for loss of earnings, where you have been unable to work for more than 28 weeks, and certain special expenses, such as dental treatment, subject to strict criteria.

The scheme is complex, and awards can be reduced or refused depending on how the rules are applied. Obtaining specialist advice at an early stage can make a significant difference.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority awards do not include legal fees, and solicitor’s costs are usually paid from the compensation awarded. For this reason, it is not always cost‑effective to instruct a solicitor in low‑value claims.

At Digby Brown, we focus on serious criminal injury cases, including brain injury and other life‑changing harm. In suitable cases, we can offer no win, no fee funding through our dedicated funding company, Compensate.

If we accept your case, we fund it from start to finish and we cover the cost of expert reports and other outlays.  If the claim is unsuccessful, you will not be charged a fee.

Our experience allows us to assess prospects carefully and pursue cases with confidence. Using this specialist approach, we have secured criminal injuries compensation awards in excess of £2 million.

There is no fixed timescale for a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority application. Each case is assessed individually, and the length of time depends on factors such as the complexity of your injuries, whether medical or expert reports are required, and how long it takes for the police to provide information.

We will keep you informed throughout the process and deal with the CICA on your behalf.

To qualify for compensation, the criminal injury must be reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable. You must also cooperate fully with any police investigation.

We understand that this can be difficult, particularly in sensitive or traumatic cases, and we can advise you on how this requirement applies to your own circumstances.

If you receive compensation from another source, for example, a civil claim, this may be deducted from any award made by the CICA. We will explain how this works and help you understand which option is likely to be most appropriate for you.

If you are injured as a result of a crime and unable to work, you may be entitled to benefits paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), such as Income Support, Housing Benefit, Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment. These benefits can be taken into account when a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority award is calculated.

Digby Brown has its own Welfare Rights advisers. If you would like advice about benefits you may be entitled to, we can arrange for them to contact you.

Victims of violent crime can apply directly to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for compensation. While there is no court fee, preparing a proper application often involves costs, including medical and expert reports.

Concern about meeting these expenses, and about solicitor’s fees, can lead some people to accept awards that do not fully reflect their injuries.

To address this, Digby Brown established Compensate, our independent funding company. Compensate provides a complete funding package, removing the financial risk of pursuing a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority claim and allowing access to appropriate medical and expert evidence. This means you can focus on your recovery while we focus on your claim.