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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.
Access To Justice CICA Criminal Injury Claims General PI News StockslegalAug 20th, 20130 comments
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.
Access To Justice CICA Criminal Injury Claims General PI News StockslegalAug 16th, 20130 comments
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.
CICA Criminal Injury Claims General PI News StockslegalAug 14th, 20130 comments
MDU Paid Out £28m In Meningitis Claims
The MDU has released details showing that they have paid out approximately £28m in four years to settle GP cases involving patients that have suffered or are suffering from meningitis. The report comes following the news that a new vaccine has been withdrawn because there is not enough conclusive evidence on exactly how effective Bexsero is for patients. The total awarded was spread over only 17 cases and the group said that around 70% of cases they receive are discontinued without further action, because GPs are not necessarily found negligent.
There are, in fact, a number of different types or strains of meningitis, including viral and bacterial meningitis. The latter is considered the most severe form with around 1 in 10 sufferers losing their fight against the illness and many being left with long term damage including the loss of limbs or brain damage. Sufferers of viral meningitis may become extremely ill but it is more likely to present as a mild illness.
A vaccine for meningitis B, called Bexsero has been developed but the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has ruled that it will not recommend the use of the vaccine. They have said that the cost of the vaccine is too high considering the lack of Conclusive evidence that the vaccine works.
The MDU is a leading medical defence body that represents GPs in cases of medical negligence. They have released figures that show they paid out £28m between 2008 and 2012 to patients with meningitis. They say that GPs will typically only see one or two cases in their working career making it very difficult to diagnose. This payment was made to 17 cases and included a £2.5m payment to a child that was not referred to hospital having presented with symptoms of meningitis.
Where patients have not received the proper level of care or have been given incorrect treatment it is often possible for them to submit medical negligence claims. The size of the claim will vary, typically according to the severity of injuries and illness suffered as a result, loss of earnings, and the amount and cost of care that the patient will require.
Access To Justice General PI News Medical Negligence Claims StockslegalAug 14th, 20130 comments
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.
CICA Criminal Injury Claims General PI News StockslegalAug 12th, 20130 comments
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.
CICA Criminal Injury Claims General PI NewsAug 12th, 20130 comments
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.
CICA Criminal Injury Claims General PI NewsAug 10th, 20130 comments
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