Can you claim criminal injury compensation?

If you have been injured as a result of a violent criminal attack, you have probably been left reeling with shock. After all, it was a traumatic event. You may not have considered the possibility that you can claim criminal injury compensation from a government agency called the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. The scheme is state sponsored and funded by the taxpayer.

In order to make a claim for criminal injuries compensation, you will need to have reported the incident to the police within 48 hours after its occurrence. When you report a crime you will automatically obtain a crime reference number. You need this for the purpose of the claim, so keep it to hand when you telephone or email your legal advisor for help.

Another condition of the scheme is that you also need to cooperate with the police to try to find (and prosecute) the offender who attacked you. The scheme is only available for offences that have occurred in England, Scotland or Wales.

Please note that no conviction is necessary for the scheme to payout – you merely have to show that a crime was committed, and then cooperate with the police to find and bring the perpetrator to justice.

The statutory time limit to claim criminal injury compensation is shorter than for straightforward personal injury cases, so it’s best to consult legal advice as soon as possible after you are attacked.

Reliving such a traumatic event for the purposes of completing the claim form can be a difficult experience. After all, you have tried hard to forget the awful criminal attack. However, the lawyers at Maximum Compensation are friendly and sympathetic, and will help you through this difficult task.

The amount of compensation that you will be awarded will depend on the nature and severity of your injury, and how it has affected your life. As with civil personal injury claims, there is an accepted tariff of the level of compensation you might expect to receive for most types of injury. As you might expect, it is grisly reading but a useful guide.

You may also be able to claim criminal injury compensation for loss of earnings or out of pocket expenses, if you can prove a strong enough link between your injury and the financial loss you have suffered. Maximum Compensation can advise you what kinds of compensation you can claim.

Relatives of a victim who has died in a criminal attack are often surprised to learn that they can claim criminal injury compensation on behalf of their deceased family member. If this applies to you, ask our professional team of expert advisors for further information.

Do you want to claim criminal injury compensation for a violent criminal attack? Fill in the online claim form today for free, quick advice with no commitment from you.

1. Fill in the 2 minute 'Free Online Claim Assessment Form'
2. Contact us on any of the following numbers: 08707 02 02 02 or 0800 292 2182
3. Email us at accidenthelp@100percent-compensation.co.uk or
4. Fill in the call back form and we shall call you back at your convenience.

Please note the service we provide is confidential and it won't even cost you for trying.

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I would recommend with confidence."

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"I'm very pleased with 100% Compenstation, everything is going along smoothly and I've been treated very well. Everything has been made easy and the solicitor was very nice and understanding."

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