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CICA
Criminals Claim Over £1m In Community Service Compensation
It has been revealed that criminals completing their community service work have claimed more than £1m in compensation in the last year. One of the most recent cases saw a man claim £73,000 after hurting his ankle while climbing a fence to cut back brambles. It has emerged that an estimated £1.4m is spent every year meeting compensation claims from those conducting community service with awards reaching as much as £94,000 and for a variety of different types of accident.
The compensation culture in the UK has come under heavy criticism in the past few years with the government looking for ways to reduce the annual bill associated with personal injury claims such as accidents at work and criminal negligence cases. However, it has emerged that around £1.4m is paid in compensation every year to those conducting community service. Probation Service bosses have defended the payments, claiming that proper supervision should be provided and that everybody that is part of the Community Payback service should be guaranteed their safety.
One man claimed £73,000 after hurting his back when climbing over a fence to cut brambles. £95,000 was awarded to one worker after breaking his arm while falling from a ladder and another received £19,000 for hurting his back while using a wheelbarrow.
The £1.4m figure takes into account payments to offenders and staff of the Probation Services. There are 35 Probation trusts across the country and a spokesperson for the organisation said that it was their responsibility to ensure that offenders and staff were offered an appropriate degree of safety while conducting their work. He went on to say that compensation was only awarded following sound legal advice and that “vexatious claims are challenged”.
Such accidents are considered similar to accident at work claims, and in these claims it is the responsibility of employers to ensure the safety of everybody under their employ. Assuming similar responsibility falls upon the Probation Service then this means that similar compensation will be paid. However, councillors and a number of groups and organisations have spoken out about the figures with a spokesman for the Taxpayer’s Alliance saying that “prisoners and even some prison guards are exploiting Britain’s crazy compensation culture.”
About The Author
Safina Soni is a principal personal injury solicitor at Stocks Legal Manchester, specialising in fatal injuries, criminal injury claims and accident at work claims.
Safina has brought a wealth of experience to Stocks Legal and is a pivotal member of their executive team.
"I am very proud to be a personal injury solicitor as I know that I make a real difference to people who have suffered and continue to have problems as a result of their injuries."
As a market leader in personal injury claims, Safina is really easy to contact. You can call her for FREE on 0800 988 9055 or you can send her a confidential email by clicking here.
Compensation Claim Dropped By Policewoman
A policewoman that tripped and hurt her ankle while investigating a crime has dropped her claim for compensation. The Police Federation said that although she was not seeking vast sums of money she has now decided to drop the claim and that she hopes the government and police force can address any wider concerns over the issues faced by the public. The accident occurred at a Filling Station in Thetford.
PC Kelly Jones had been invstigating a break-in at the Nuns’ Bridges Filling Station in Thetford , Norfolk. During the course of the investigation, Ms Jones and the owner of the filling station, Steve Jones, were checking the outside of the building for signs of break-in when Ms Jones tripped on a kerb and injured her ankle and wrist. The WPC was claiming that Mr Jones had not adequately ensure her proper safety during the course of the investigation.
The case gained a lot of media spotlight and it was not overlooked by government either. Home Secretary, Theresa May told the Police Federation’s annual conference that she did not want a situation where people were afraid to report crimes to the police for fear of being sued and that she wanted to stop “frivolous claims” being made by police officers. She went on to say that suing a member of the public following an accident on private property is not the kind of attitude that the police should have.
The Police Federation represents police officers up to the rank of chief inspector and they covered the legal costs on behalf of Ms Jones. In April it emerged that Ms Jones may have been entitled to as much as £50,000 in compensation but the mother of two has always stated that she only wanted enough to cover her loss of earnings.
Not only did the public and the Home Secretary round on Ms Jones, but her own superior officers also stated that suing members of the public was not the way of the police and that it would undermine the confidence and trust that the public had in the modern police force.
About The Author
Safina Soni is a principal personal injury solicitor at Stocks Legal Manchester, specialising in fatal injuries, criminal injury claims and accident at work claims.
Safina has brought a wealth of experience to Stocks Legal and is a pivotal member of their executive team.
"I am very proud to be a personal injury solicitor as I know that I make a real difference to people who have suffered and continue to have problems as a result of their injuries."
As a market leader in personal injury claims, Safina is really easy to contact. You can call her for FREE on 0800 988 9055 or you can send her a confidential email by clicking here.
Criminals Claimed £13.5m From Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme In 2012
In January 2012 the government announced that victims with a previous conviction would not be allowed to claim from the Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme. However, it has emerged that 2,641 criminals were able to claim a total of £13.5m in 2012 alone, still a significant figure despite being a slight drop compared to the £15.2m claimed by 3,602 people with convictions in 2011. The scheme was relaunched in November of last year in a bid to prevent criminals from being able to claim money that is supposed to be set aside for blameless victims.
A number of reforms and changes were introduced to the scheme which included guideline amounts to be paid to victims of violent crime. Under the new regulations it would no longer be possible to claim for minor injuries. Critics of these changes pointed to the prolonged psychological and financial difficulties that were still faced even following so called minor injuries. These were introduced alongside changes to the Legal Aid scheme that the government introduced in the hope of reducing the annual Legal Aid bill by £200m a year.
The old Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme was plagued by criticism when it was discovered that the scheme was paying a quarter of a million pounds every week to criminals. Even Ian Huntley, the Soham murderer, was known to have submitted a claim for £15,000 after a prisoner slashed his throat. The system came under fire and the government moved to prevent such claims from being made in the future.
In November 2012, the Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme was relaunched in an attempt to prevent criminals from being able to claim compensation. Under the new guidelines, although minor injuries are not covered any more, criminals with serious unspent convictions will have their claims automatically rejected. This means that criminals in prison and those serving community sentences for serious crimes will no longer be able to claim under the new guidelines.
The Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme is still available to victims of criminal attacks that suffer anything other than minor injuries. These injuries may be physical or emotional and as well as paying out the appropriate compensation, the scheme also sets out the exact amount that will be awarded for specific injuries and the severity of those injuries.
Speaking about the 2012 figures, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice has said that they are historical figures and that those with unspent convictions have been instantly refused since November 2012. This means that when the next set of figures are released for 2013 it seems likely that the figure will, at the very least, have dropped off significantly.
Chief Executive of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, Matthew Sinclair, has described the loophole as “appalling” and suggested that while the move was a positive one it should have been taken immediately in order to prevent the flurry of criminals that claimed compensation before the deadline closed. He went on to say that the “compensation culture has gotten out of hand.”
MAKING A CLAIM
Making a claim for your personal injuries with Stocks Legal is really easy. You can speak to an experienced personal injury solicitor today by calling 0800 988 9055 or you can use our online claim enquiry form by clicking here. There is no obligation and you have nothing to lose by speaking to us.
About The Author
Mike Topper is the litigation manager at Stocks Legal Personal Injury Solicitors. Mike is highly experienced in all types of personal injury cases. He is highly focussed on client care and getting the maximum compensation that is available for his clients and their families. He rightly sees personal injury claims as a real must for the English legal System as without a proper compensation structure, many injury people can be left with no support or ongoing medical treatment.
If you have any questions arising from this article to can contact Mike by calling 0800 988 9055 or by sending him an email by clicking here.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Guide Published
Following sweeping changes to various areas of personal injury law and, specifically, to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, an updated guide has been published on the government’s website. The guide gives details on eligibility, how to claim, and the types of payment that can be included in a claim. Changes to the scheme now mean that claimants are not able to make a claim for minor injuries and that criminals with an unspent conviction will have their claims automatically declined.
The scheme was set up so that victims of violent crime had a last resort to claim required compensation from. The guide reiterates the point that it should be viewed solely as a last resort and not a first port of call. Victims and their solicitors should attempt to claim compensation from the guilty party and, only if this fails, should the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme be used in order to prevent recompense to victims of crime. With that said, the Scheme can prove highly beneficial to those victims that are not able to locate, identify, or claim from the offending party.
In order to be eligible to claim via the Scheme it is necessary for the claimant to prove that they were the direct victim of a crime. They must also be able to show that they were not responsible for the crime and that the crime was reported to police. It is necessary to show that injury, either physical or mental, was sustained as a result of the crime and that all other avenues of recompense have been fully exhausted.
It is necessary for claimants to bring their case within a period of two years of the incident occurring. However, there are exceptions to this statute so if it was not possible to claim within this period then it may still be possible to seek compensation from the scheme. A lack of knowledge of the scheme may not be considered an exceptional circumstance which means that this will not usually be a defence for claiming beyond the two year statute.
There are a number of different types of claim which may be made and the compensation awarded may be made up of injury payments, loss of earnings, special expenses, bereavement payments, dependency payments, and funeral payments. The Court will determine the extent of an injury and award injury compensation between £1,000 and £250,000. For those injuries considered minor enough that compensation is less than £1,000, no compensation will be awarded.
One of the major changes introduced to the scheme at the end of last year saw those with unspent criminal convictions having their applications rejected automatically. It is also possible that people with a criminal record may have their compensation payments reduced. Furthermore, minor injuries are no longer covered by the Scheme; the latter has proven to be an unpopular move. Critics have pointed out that even minor injuries can lead to long term psychological effects. The minimum injury payment is now set at £1,000 as a result of this change.
You can download a copy of the new CICA guidance by clicking here or call us on 0800 988 9055 or you can send us an email by clicking here.
About The Author
Mike Topper is the litigation manager at Stocks Legal Personal Injury Solicitors. Mike is highly experienced in all types of personal injury cases. He is highly focussed on client care and getting the maximum compensation that is available for his clients and their families. He rightly sees personal injury claims as a real must for the English legal System as without a proper compensation structure, many injury people can be left with no support or ongoing medical treatment.
If you have any questions arising from this article to can contact Mike by calling 0800 988 9055 or by sending him an email by clicking here.
TUC Accuses Government Of Brainwashing Over “Compensation Culture” Claims
The Trades Union Congress, or TUC, has said that the government is guilty of brainwashing the country into believing that there is a compensation culture and attempting to vilify those that have a legitimate cause to claim compensation for their workplace injuries. The TUC has said that the government, backed by Prime Minister David Cameron, is making this move in order to be able to reduce or remove the health and safety laws that are currently in place to protect workers.
The whole personal injury process has come under extensive changes in recent months as the government has attempts to reduce the amount of funding it receives while similarly reducing the amount of bureaucracy and red tape that is met by employers. These reforms have already been criticised by many organisations, individuals, and even the government’s own lawyers. This isn’t the only area in which the government shakeup is proving unsuccessful either.
The Health and Safety Executive, the HSE, has also released plans to change health and safety laws. These changes would mean that fewer near misses would have to be reported while there would be considerably fewer illnesses and injuries listed for companies that do need to submit a report. The HSE believes that this will cut the cost to businesses by millions of pounds a year but some of the proposed changes have been hit by criticism. The proposals are set to come into force in October 2013 but do not yet have parliamentary approval, which would be required.
Hazards, with the backing of the TUC, conducted a study and published a report on the success rate of work related injury claimants. The figures show that the success rate of such claims has plummeted 60% in the past decade.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said that “the government is trying to brainwash people into thinking the UK has a rife compensation culture” and he went on to say that the likely outcome of the changes would mean a “much higher rate of accidents, injuries and illnesses in the future”.
Why Victims Of Violent Crime Should Claim Compensation
Victims of violent crime can be left with serious physical and mental injuries that take considerable time to heal. Not only is there the physical injury itself but also the potential for emotional and mental distress caused by the injury. It is important that victims of violent crime are able to claim compensation so that they can enjoy the necessary time to heal and get back to good health.
Compensation is primarily determined by the type and extent of injury that a person suffers. More minor injuries may attract compensation of £1,000 while considerable and serious injuries are more likely to carry compensation payments of tens of thousands of pounds. Multiple injuries may lead to higher payments with the highest usually reserved for serious brain injuries, spinal injuries, and the loss of limbs as well as those that require years to recuperate.
An element of compensation is also awarded according to any loss of earnings that a person suffers. Thankfully, most injuries will usually only require a day or two off work but there are some that may need weeks or months off work. The most severe injuries can leave victims unable to secure and keep a job, therefore eliminating the possibility of earning money again in the future.
The most important step for victims of violent crime is to report the crime to police. When attending court or applying for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, it will have to be determined that a person has indeed reported the incident otherwise no compensation will usually be awarded.
There are some cases where the victim is unable to claim directly from the offender. For example, if the police have been unable to identify or catch the offender. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is a scheme that calculates and awards compensation to victims that are caught in this situation. Victims will usually receive the majority, although still only a portion, of the compensation that they should be due but there are no court costs to pay. It is possible to claim through the CICA without legal representation but having a solicitor can help ensure that the victim receives a fair and full figure.
MAKING A CLAIM
Making a claim for your personal injuries with Stocks Legal is really easy. You can speak to an experienced personal injury solicitor today by calling 0800 988 9055 or you can use our online claim enquiry form by clicking here. There is no obligation and you have nothing to lose by speaking to us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Topper is the litigation manager at Stocks Legal Personal Injury Solicitors. Mike is highly experienced in all types of personal injury cases. He is highly focussed on client care and getting the maximum compensation that is available for his clients and their families. He rightly sees personal injury claims as a real must for the English legal System as without a proper compensation structure, many injury people can be left with no support or ongoing medical treatment.
If you have any questions arising from this article to can contact Mike by calling 0800 988 9055 or by sending him an email by clicking here.
New Criteria For Criminal Injury Compensation Authority Claims
The Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government run authority that victims of violent crimes can call upon to award them compensation. The Authority has recently upgraded and changed some of its eligibility criteria in a bid to cut its annual bill but if the victim of a crime is still eligible then they still have the right to submit a claim to the CICA. The scheme is meant as a last resort and a decision regarding payment may be delayed while the victim continues to try and claim from their assailant or even their employer. You can download the new criteria by clicking here.
The crime must be reported to the police by the victim or a friend or family member. If no police report is filed and no investigation undertaken then the CICA will not intervene and any application will be rejected immediately under these circumstances. The CICA does not judge on whether a crime was committed, or by whom, but they may pay compensation to victims that have reported the crime to the police.
There is a two year statute on claims for injuries. This means that the victim has two years to submit their claim following the date of the accident. If the victim is aged under 18 at the time of the incident then they will have two years from the date of their 18th birthday. There are some mitigating circumstances that allow for this period to be extended but this does not include claims that the victim was not aware of the scheme or the two year deadline.
Minor injuries are not covered by the scheme. As such, if the injury portion of the awarded compensation would be less than £1,000 then the claim will be rejected. The CICA says that they are a scheme that is set up to compensate the sufferers of serious injuries. This means that cuts and bruises will not usually be enough to justify a CICA compensation package. Mental and emotional injuries are considered when calculating this figure.
When it comes to loss of earnings, the CICA scheme will not usually pay for the first 28 weeks of time off work. The amount that may be awarded for this element of the crime is also capped. This all means that a victim may not receive the full compensation that they believe they are owed and they may still fall some way short financially once compensation has been awarded.
The behaviour of the victim is considered as part of the CICA scheme. This includes behaviour before, during, and after the incident and the CICA will even look into a person’s criminal record. Those with an unspent criminal conviction will not be considered for the scheme – changes that were introduced in November 2012.
There are critics to some of the changes and eligibility requirements. For example, there are groups that argue even minor injuries can lead to long term emotional and mental damage and so even minor injuries with a compensation value of less than £1,000 should still be considered by the Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme.
MAKING A CLAIM
Making a claim for your personal injuries with Stocks Legal is really easy. You can speak to an experienced personal injury solicitor today by calling 0800 988 9055 or you can use our online claim enquiry form by clicking here. There is no obligation and you have nothing to lose by speaking to us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Topper is the litigation manager at Stocks Legal Personal Injury Solicitors. Mike is highly experienced in all types of personal injury cases. He is highly focussed on client care and getting the maximum compensation that is available for his clients and their families. He rightly sees personal injury claims as a real must for the English legal System as without a proper compensation structure, many injury people can be left with no support or ongoing medical treatment.
If you have any questions arising from this article to can contact Mike by calling 0800 988 9055 or by sending him an email by clicking here.
The Importance Of Using An Experienced Criminal Injury Solicitor
Personal injuries leave victims unable to earn money and dealing with physical and mental injuries. Depending on the type and extent of injury this can also lead to a loss of earnings as well as the payment of medical and other expenses. Fortunately, it is possible for victims of many types of personal injury to be able to claim compensation in order to help meet these costs. Even victims of violent crime have a means of claiming compensation.
Claiming compensation for injuries sustained during a violent crime provides victims with financial support. They receive a sum according to the type and severity of injury that they sustained as well as an element that is designed to meet the financial costs associated with injuries. The actual amount of compensation that a person does receive will depend on a number of factors.
Violent crimes can include assault and aggravated burglary, as well as arson and even assault in the workplace. They may occur in the home, on the street, or while on another person’s property. If they are viewed as a crime by the police, and reported to the police, then they will usually carry the possibility of compensation being awarded to the victim.
Most personal injury claims must be submitted within three years of the incident or when the victim discovers the extent of their injuries. However, violent crime claims through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority need to be submitted within two years so it is vital that the victim starts their claim as soon as possible. Before any claim is made, though, the first and most important step is to report the crime to the police.
A criminal injury solicitor will help ensure that all paperwork is completed properly. They will collect all of the relevant information, data, and evidence, and when dealing with the CICA, where it is not strictly necessary to instruct a lawyer, they can also help to ensure that you receive a fair settlement figure. It is important that victims receive a fair amount of compensation because it is used to ensure that they are able to concentrate on recovery rather than rushing back to work or struggling to meet medical bills.
MAKING A CLAIM
Making a claim for your personal injuries with Stocks Legal is really easy. You can speak to an experienced personal injury solicitor today by calling 0800 988 9055 or you can use our online claim enquiry form by clicking here. There is no obligation and you have nothing to lose by speaking to us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Topper is the litigation manager at Stocks Legal Personal Injury Solicitors. Mike is highly experienced in all types of personal injury cases. He is highly focussed on client care and getting the maximum compensation that is available for his clients and their families. He rightly sees personal injury claims as a real must for the English legal System as without a proper compensation structure, many injury people can be left with no support or ongoing medical treatment. If you have any questions arising from this article to can contact Mike by calling 0800 988 9055 or by sending him an email by clicking here.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Have Two Year Statute
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) has undergone a number of changes recently, predominantly to cut funding provided by the government. The CICA does still exist and still offers a means for victims of violent crime to be able to seek compensation even if they do not know their attacker, or if their attacker is unable to meet the compensation claims. One area where claiming from the CICA does differ to other personal injury claims is that there is a two year deadline for making these claims.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, or CICA for short, is a government run scheme designed to ensure that victims of violent crime are able to claim compensation for their injuries, for loss of earnings, and to assist in meeting other financial payments. It is possible, though usually not advised, for victims to complete the claims process themselves and there are no court fees associated with the scheme.
The scheme was established primarily to deal with violent crimes and the victims of these crimes. As well as assault and physical violence, it is possible for victims of abuse and those attacked while at work (in some cases) to be able to level their claim at the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. The victim must be blameless and as well as direct assaults, it is possible for victims of arson to also make a claim in this way.
Personal injury cases can vary greatly and changes to the personal injury claims process mean that some confusion has arisen over certain timeframes and deadlines. While most personal injury claimants are afforded a period of three years from the date of their injury or the date that they discover they have suffered an injury, victims claiming through the CICA only have a period of two years.
For victims of violent and serious crime, the CICA can prove invaluable in providing the financial support that they require. The compensation awarded is not only determined by the type and extent of injuries sustained but also by any loss of earnings and any medical or other expenses accrued. It is important that the victim claims within the two year period to ensure that they do not miss out on the money that they may be owed.
MAKING A CLAIM
Making a claim for your personal injuries with Stocks Legal is really easy. You can speak to an experienced personal injury solicitor today by calling 0800 988 9055 or you can use our online claim enquiry form by clicking here. There is no obligation and you have nothing to lose by speaking to us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Topper is the litigation manager at Stocks Legal Personal Injury Solicitors. Mike is highly experienced in all types of personal injury cases. He is highly focussed on client care and getting the maximum compensation that is available for his clients and their families. He rightly sees personal injury claims as a real must for the English legal System as without a proper compensation structure, many injury people can be left with no support or ongoing medical treatment.
If you have any questions arising from this article to can contact Mike by calling 0800 988 9055 or by sending him an email by clicking here.
The Importance Of Using An Experienced Criminal Injury Solicitor
Personal injuries leave victims unable to earn money and dealing with physical and mental injuries. Depending on the type and extent of injury this can also lead to a loss of earnings as well as the payment of medical and other expenses. Fortunately, it is possible for victims of many types of personal injury to be able to claim compensation in order to help meet these costs. Even victims of violent crime have a means of claiming compensation.
Claiming compensation for injuries sustained during a violent crime provides victims with financial support. They receive a sum according to the type and severity of injury that they sustained as well as an element that is designed to meet the financial costs associated with injuries. The actual amount of compensation that a person does receive will depend on a number of factors.
Violent crimes can include assault and aggravated burglary, as well as arson and even assault in the workplace. They may occur in the home, on the street, or while on another person’s property. If they are viewed as a crime by the police, and reported to the police, then they will usually carry the possibility of compensation being awarded to the victim.
Most personal injury claims must be submitted within three years of the incident or when the victim discovers the extent of their injuries. However, violent crime claims through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority need to be submitted within two years so it is vital that the victim starts their claim as soon as possible. Before any claim is made, though, the first and most important step is to report the crime to the police.
A criminal injury solicitor will help ensure that all paperwork is completed properly. They will collect all of the relevant information, data, and evidence, and when dealing with the CICA, where it is not strictly necessary to instruct a lawyer, they can also help to ensure that you receive a fair settlement figure. It is important that victims receive a fair amount of compensation because it is used to ensure that they are able to concentrate on recovery rather than rushing back to work or struggling to meet medical bills.
MAKING A CLAIM
Making a claim for your personal injuries with Stocks Legal is really easy. You can speak to an experienced personal injury solicitor today by calling 0800 988 9055 or you can use our online claim enquiry form by clicking here. There is no obligation and you have nothing to lose by speaking to us.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Topper is the litigation manager at Stocks Legal Personal Injury Solicitors. Mike is highly experienced in all types of personal injury cases. He is highly focussed on client care and getting the maximum compensation that is available for his clients and their families. He rightly sees personal injury claims as a real must for the English legal System as without a proper compensation structure, many injury people can be left with no support or ongoing medical treatment.
If you have any questions arising from this article to can contact Mike by calling 0800 988 9055 or by sending him an email by clicking here.
