Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) Claims Solicitors

Suffering any type of personal injury, no matter the circumstances, can be difficult to cope with. However, being the victim of a criminal injury can have a devastating impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. If you have been injured as a result of serious or violent crime, you may be able to claim criminal injury compensation.

Lyons Solicitors has specialist expertise with a wide range of personal injury matters, including criminal injury claims. All of the CICA claims we handle are dealt with by highly capable and qualified criminal injury lawyers, who have substantial experience in the field. This ensures we provide the best possible service to all of our clients.

The same criminal injury solicitor will handle your claim from start to finish, which means that you will receive consistent, tailored advice that is well suited to your circumstances. If you need to get in touch with one of our personal injury solicitors, you can contact us over the telephone, by video conferencing or in person. We can also arrange for out of hours home visits where appropriate.

Please note: You will only have to pay our fees if your claim is successful. Clients like this approach as it allows us to support their criminal injury claims without the prospect of losing money.

We regularly help clients to pursue potentially risky cases that other firms may not be willing to take on. We can also take on criminal injury claims where other firms have not been able to secure the maximum available compensation or have rejected a claim in the first instance.

UNHAPPY WITH THE SERVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED FROM ANOTHER FIRM? DON’T GIVE UP – CALL US ON 0117-950-6506 FOR A SECOND OPINION.

Our criminal injury lawyers in Bristol will be able to take you through the entire claims process, including the steps you need to take to access the compensation you deserve. If required, we can put you in contact with specialist rehabilitation experts and arrange for a dedicated case manager to support you with specialist equipment and the day-to-day needs associated with your criminal injury.

Our Personal Injury Claims team is led by partner Duncan Shaw. Duncan has more than 25 years of experience in representing clients with criminal injury claims throughout England and Wales.

We have previously helped many clients claim compensation for criminal injury in Kingswood, Westbury-on-Trym, Chew Magna and the wider Bristol area.

Our team also work closely with recommended and highly specialist barristers, taking every possible step to ensure your life returns to normal as much as possible.

Speak to us about criminal injury claims in Bristol

We offer a free initial consultation where you can ask us any questions you might have about the CICA claims process.

To book a free initial consultation with our criminal injury solicitors in Kingswood, Westbury-on-Trym or Chew Magna, please get in touch today.

You can use the contact details for each office or, alternatively, fill in the ‘Ask us a Question’ form on the right-hand side of the page to request a call back.

Types of criminal injury (CICA) claims we can help you with

Our criminal injuries compensation solicitors can assist with all types of physical and psychological injuries related to various types of serious crimes, including:

  • Assault
  • Domestic violence
  • Sexual assault
  • Knife crime
  • Acid attacks
  • Armed robbery
  • Murder
  • Manslaughter
  • Child abuse

To find out more about how we can help you with a CICA claim in Kingswood, Westbury-on-Trym, Chew Magna and the wider Bristol area, please get in touch.

Our criminal injury compensation claims fees

Our CICA claims solicitors handle claims on a contingency fee basis. Our team will be happy to discuss this with you before we take on your case. This is also where we can talk to you about insurance to cover any unexpected costs.

Criminal injury claims FAQs

What is criminal injury compensation?

Criminal injury compensation, or CICA claims, refers to a scheme designed to provide financial assistance and support to victims who have suffered physical or psychological injuries as a result of a violent crime. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is the government body responsible for administering this scheme.

The purpose of criminal injury payouts is to acknowledge and alleviate the physical, emotional, and financial hardships faced by victims of crime. It recognises that victims may experience significant trauma and incur various expenses such as medical treatment, loss of earnings, or rehabilitation costs. The compensation aims to help victims rebuild their lives and aid in their recovery process.

To be eligible for CICA claims, certain criteria must be met. The crime must have been reported to the police and occurred in England, Scotland, or Wales. The victim must have sustained a physical or mental injury that meets the minimum severity criteria set by the CICA. Additionally, the application must be submitted within a specified time limit, usually two years from the date of the incident.

The compensation awarded by the CICA varies depending on the severity of the injury and the impact it has had on the victim's life. It covers a range of costs, including medical expenses, loss of earnings, funeral expenses (in case of death), and even future care needs.

What is CICA?

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, or CICA, is a branch of the government that provides compensation for those who have been injured because of a violent crime. As part of the Ministry of Justice, CICA provides compensation when the victim is unable to claim from the perpetrator or any other source. CICA offers support to victims of crimes that include assault, sexual abuse, battery and more.

How do you claim for a criminal injury?

To claim for a criminal injury, there are several steps that need to be followed:

  • Report the crime: It is crucial to report the crime to the police as soon as possible. Obtain a crime reference number, which will be required when submitting the claim.
  • Seek medical attention: Get appropriate medical treatment for any injuries sustained. Medical records will serve as evidence to support your claim.
  • Gather evidence: Collect any evidence related to the incident, such as photographs, witness statements, or police reports. This documentation will strengthen your case.
  • Contact the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA): The next step is to contact the CICA, the government body responsible for administering criminal injury compensation. You can request a criminal injury compensation form from them directly or download it from their website.
  • Complete the application form: Fill out the application form accurately and provide all necessary details. Include supporting documents and evidence to substantiate your claim.
  • Submit the application: Once the form is complete, submit it to the CICA within the specified time limit, typically two years from the date of the incident.
  • Cooperate with the CICA: The CICA may require additional information or evidence during the processing of your claim. Cooperate with them and provide any requested documents promptly.
  • Await a decision: The CICA will review your claim and make a decision based on the evidence provided. This process may take several months.
  • Accept or appeal the decision: If your claim is accepted, you will receive compensation. If it is rejected or you are dissatisfied with the awarded amount, you can appeal the decision within a specific timeframe.

It is important to note that the process may vary slightly depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Seeking legal advice from our specialist criminal injury solicitors is likely to be essential when making a criminal injury claim.

How long does a criminal injury claim take?

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (the organisation which usually provides compensation for criminal injuries) typically takes around one year to assess a claim and decide on the compensation that should be awarded. When a decision has been reached, they will notify you in writing.

How long do I have to claim criminal injury compensation?

Under normal circumstances, you will need to make a claim within two years of a crime taking place. These time limits may be different where the crime involved sexual or physical abuse suffered during childhood or if it was previously not possible to make a claim due to physical or mental health complications.

How does criminal injury compensation work?

In the UK, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is designed to provide compensation to victims of violent crime. The rules of the Scheme and the value of any payments awarded are set by the Secretary of State and approved by Parliament.

Eligibility for compensation is determined by various requirements, including that someone needs to be a direct victim of violent crime, the incident needs to have taken place in England, Wales, Scotland or another ‘relevant location’ and that the incident needs to have been reported to the police.

Can I claim criminal injury compensation if the perpetrator has not been convicted?

Yes, you will still be able to make a claim, even if the individual or group responsible for the injury has not been found guilty in court. You simply need to be able to show that you were the blameless victim of crime and that you suffered injury as a result.

Can I claim criminal injury compensation if I have a criminal record?

Having a criminal record could potentially affect your eligibility for CICA claims, but it will depend on the circumstances. Unspent convictions will be taken into account and could mean that your compensation is withheld or reduced. 

Contact Our Criminal Injury Solicitors in Bristol

We offer a free first consultation to answer any questions you might have about the criminal injury claims process and help to clarify your situation.

To book a free initial consultation with our criminal injury solicitors in Kingswood, Westbury-on-Trym or Chew Magna, please get in touch today.

You can use the contact details for each office or, alternatively, fill in the enquiry form on the right-hand side of the page to request a call-back.