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CICA
CICA Provides Compensation To Victims Of Violent Crimes
Victims of violent crimes can suffer considerable injuries that lead to a loss of earnings and both physical and mental suffering. Where the offender is not caught or unable to pay compensation for those injuries, the victim does not have to be left out of pocket. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority was set up as a government run scheme to ensure that these victims received fair compensation for their injuries and resulting financial losses.
Those that suffer personal injuries through no fault of their own are typically able to claim compensation. Victims of car accidents can blame from the driver at fault while employees injured at work can often claim compensation from their employer. In both these cases, it is usually an insurance policy that will cover the financial figure that is paid to the claimant. For victims of violent crimes, however, the offender will not have insurance to cover them, assuming that the offender has even been identified in the first place.
Blameless, direct victims of crimes like assault or aggravated burglary may still be able to claim compensation for their injuries, however, through a government run scheme called the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. This scheme was designed to ensure that victims had an identifiable means of gaining financial compensation; compensation that is not only paid according to the injuries a person receives but to cover the cost of lost earnings and medical fees.
In order for a victim to be considered eligible for the scheme they must have been blameless during the crime and they must typically be a UK resident. They must also claim within two years of the date of the incident, have reported the crime to the police, and be able to prove injuries and loss to receive their compensation package.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is a government run scheme that is designed to ensure that direct victims of crime are able to receive compensation for their injuries and losses. The scheme does have certain eligibility requirements but, as long as these are met, victims of violent crimes will be able to claim for their injuries.
Abuse Victims Can Claim Compensation From CICA
Whether physical or sexual, abuse can leave physical and mental damage that affects a person throughout the whole of their lives. Most people find that they are unable to report the case when it happens, because of fear or shame, and this makes judging abuse claims very difficult. Tracking down the offenders and being brave enough to face them can be extremely challenging but it also brings the potential of financial compensation.
Typically, compensation claims for victims of abuse are levelled at individuals in civil cases or against local authorities. However, it is not always possible for the victim to be able to track down the offender; they may have been unknown to the victim or they may have moved on or passed away. This does not necessarily mean that the victim has lost their opportunity to seek financial compensation for the abuse. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority offers a means of claiming compensation for these victims.
The CICA is a government scheme that provides compensation to victims that are unable to claim from the offender. They pay a majority of the total amount that is deemed suitable for the level of injuries that a person suffers. While this may not be as high a figure as awarded in civil cases, with an experienced and skilled solicitor or lawyer it is possible to ensure that the victim receives an amount that is reasonable and fair considering their injuries and level of abuse.
It isn’t strictly necessary to have legal representation when pursuing a claim through the CICA but there are many documented instances of claimants receiving considerably more once they have instructed a solicitor. Even those that have started the process and received an offer can enrol the services of a professional solicitor to enjoy a more realistic and reasonable package.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is a government scheme that provides compensation payments for victims of violent crime. People that suffer personal injury as a result of a period of abuse may be able to successfully claim compensation for the physical and mental injuries that they suffer.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Topper is the litigation manager at Stocks Legal Personal Injury Solicitors and 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 injuries as a real must for the English legal System as without a proper compensation system, many injury people can be left with no support or ongoing medical treatment. If you have any questions about this article or would like to speak to Mike Topper please call him on 0800 988 9055 or click here to send him an email.
