Criminal Injury Victims Can Calculate Likely Compensation Figures

There are a number of factors and facts that are used by courts when determining how much compensation to pay to victims of crime that are injured during the incident. Although the exact amount awarded will differ from one case to the next, it is possible to use the guidelines that are provided by CICA in order to determine at least a ballpark figure of how much compensation an individual will receive.

Claimants should ensure that they use the very latest version of the guidelines, because there have been a number of changes made to the scheme especially over recent months. Using an outdated or superseded version of the guidelines means that the claimant would end up with an inaccurate reflection of the amount they would receive. In a lot of instances, the amounts due to claimants have been reduced so using an older version of the guidelines would lead to a figure higher than is due.

The guidelines include a “tariff of injuries”. This is effectively a price list that gives a full list of potential injuries and the financial value for each of these types of injury. Virtually all types of personal injury are listed in this section of the guidelines, ranging from relatively simple cuts and bruises to considerably more serious brain damage, head and back injuries. More complex injuries like damage to your sense of smell are also included.

Multiple injuries may be included in the compensation payment. The most serious injury will be considered the first injury and 100% of the guideline figures will be used. 30% of the second injury, and 15% of the third injury will also be included in the compensation calculations that are used to determine compensation.

Special payments are also considered by CICA and these can account for a larger portion of the payment than the injury tariff. Special treatments may include loss of earnings as well as the cost of any medical treatment that is required by the victim. If long term or specialist care is required then this too may be included as part of the compensation calculations and the amount that is awarded to the claimant.

CICA Criminal Injury ClaimsNov 8th, 20130 comments