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If you are in immediate danger, please call 999 now.
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If you cannot speak to the police, you can still dial 999.
Listen to the questions and respond by making a noise such as coughing or tapping the handset.
On mobiles, if prompted, press 55, which lets the operator know it is a genuine emergency and you will be put through to the police. (Note, if the operator does not hear anything from you, they will hang up.)
Emergency SMS
If you cannot make voice calls, you can contact the 999 emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone. It has been designed specifically for people with hearing loss or difficulty with speech. You will have to be registered with the service beforehand.
It is recommended if you require this service you register before an emergency takes place. To register, text register to 999, you will get a reply then follow the instructions you are sent. In an emergency, you can text 999, then tell them which service you need e.g Police, what is going on and where the problem is happening i.e., your address.
Call 101 if you need to obtain your unique crime number
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www.citizensadvice.org.uk – for help with debt/housing or benefits advice
Faq
Have a question?
For further information read our frequently asked questions.
What is the Criminal Injuries Compensation authority?
The CICA (Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority) is a government-funded scheme designed to help innocent victims of crime. It is often called “the scheme of last resort” as its purpose is to help victims when no other option is available. The scheme is designed for people who have suffered injury as a result of an act of violence. If this has happened to you and for whatever reason, you have been unable to take civil proceedings to recover compensation, because the perpetrators are either unknown or do not have the means to pay then you may be eligible to make a claim under the scheme.
How will I pay for your services?
Your claim will be dealt with on a Contingency Fee agreement or no win no fee. This means that if you win, we will deduct 25% of the compensation you are awarded. So, for example, if you were awarded £5000 you would receive £3750 after we deducted our charges. If your claim is unsuccessful, you don’t pay us a penny.
Will the information I provide you with be taken in confidence?
Everything you tell us will be treated in the strictest of confidence so you can rest assured that no one will ever know about your claim unless you tell them.
Do I have to provide you with medical evidence of my injuries?
As the applicant, you must always cooperate and provide any information requested of you. The responsibility is on you to prove that you are eligible for a payment and so you must provide evidence to show that you meet the criteria and can provide evidence of the injury suffered. Usually, this will involve the CICA requesting access to your medical records. They may also request a report from your GP.
How long will it take for my claim to be processed?
It really depends on how complicated your injuries are, but the average claim takes around 10 months to complete. This will vary from case to case and if your claim is rejected and you appeal it will take considerably longer. Historical sexual abuse claims can take longer, usually 12 to 18 months.
Will the person who caused my injuries find out about my claim?
No, not at all so please do not worry about the person who caused your injuries finding out.
I have unspent convictions; can I still make a claim?
You can still apply, however, compensation may be reduced or withdrawn if you are seen as morally undeserving of an award. In general terms, if you have a community or custodial sentence then it is likely that your claim will be rejected by the CICA. If you have a lesser sentence (other than penalty points, endorsements or fines resulting from motoring offences) a reduction in your sentence is likely. It may also be possible to delay making a claim if you have convictions with only a short time left to run.
Can I still claim if the perpetrator wasn’t found or identified?
A claim can still be made in these circumstances, although it may take a little longer than normal.
Will I have to give a statement to the police?
Yes, you will usually have to do this once the crime has been reported. Part of the criteria for making a claim will involve cooperating in full with the Police and the CICA. If you refuse to cooperate which would include refusing to make a statement, then this could result in your claim being rejected.
You will also be asked to supply the unique police reference number in the application form.
How long do I have to make a claim?
Usually within 2 years from the date of the incident. If you were under 18 at the time of the incident, it is advisable to make the application as early as possible as evidence gathering is more difficult the longer you wait. If the incident was reported to the police before you turned 18, but no application was made the claim must be made before you reach 20. If the incident occurred before you were 18 but was not reported at the time, an application may be made up to 2 years from when the incident was first reported to the police.
If you were an adult at the time of the incident, the two-year time limit can be extended if there were exceptional circumstances that made it impossible for you to make a claim any earlier. For example, if your injuries were so bad that you were physically or mentally unable to do so. If you wish to make a claim beyond two years after the incident, then sufficient evidence will need to be provided to show why your claim has been delayed. Not knowing about the scheme is not a good enough reason.
You do not need to wait until the end of a trial before making an application but there may be tactical reasons why you should wait before submitting your claim. We can advise you about this in more detail if it’s relevant to your claim.
What happens if I didn’t report it to the police?
Your claim is likely to be turned down. It is a requirement of the scheme that the incident which caused the injury is reported to the police as soon as practically possible. There are exceptions to this rule and we would suggest that you contact us and explain your individual circumstances for more information.
I was drunk when I was raped, can I still make a claim?
Yes, you can still apply. Being drunk through alcohol or drugs could have implications if it caused you to behave inappropriately or aggressively, however, this does not apply where the intoxication caused you to become more vulnerable to becoming a victim of a crime.
Can I claim for mental injuries?
You can claim for mental injuries but only if you have been diagnosed by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist as suffering from a recognised condition. A referral to a counsellor is not sufficient. However, if you are still having treatment, please call us for further advice and assistance.
I can no longer work because of my injuries; can I claim loss of earnings?
Yes, you can if you have been unable to work or may be prevented from working in the future as a direct result of the accident. You must show that you have been unable to do any work or that you have a limited capacity to work. You must also show that you were in work at the time of the incident or that you either had a good work history for 3 years or a good reason for not having such a work history for 3 years prior to the incident. A good reason would include being in full-time education. Payments are made at a fixed weekly rate, which is the same as statutory sick pay and payments will not be made for the first 28 weeks after the incident.
Are there any other reasons for my claim to be rejected?
Yes. If the CICA consider that you behaved inappropriately either before, during or after the incident that led to the incident, which caused your injury then your chances of success will be affected. For example, if you provoked the attacker in any way for example by using abusive language or gestures or if you threw the first punch your claim could be rejected. The same may also apply if you have been involved with illegal drugs, tax evasion or benefit fraud for example.
If my claim is rejected can I appeal?
Yes. If you are unhappy with the decision made by the CICA then you can ask for a review of the decision. You will have 56 days from the date of the decision to ask for a review. This will involve your application being looked at afresh by a more senior claims officer. If you request a review, it is usually because you have additional evidence or because you believe that the CICA have overlooked evidence or made an error. It is important to remember that following a review your award could go up or down or be withdrawn completely. It is very important that you consider carefully the risks of reviews or appeals with your Solicitor. If you are still not happy with the decision following the review, you can appeal to a tribunal. This is a complex process which your Solicitor will explain to you.
Can I claim for historical abuse?
Yes, you can as long as you have reported it to the police and met the relevant criteria.
Do I need to wait until the court case has ended or the police have finished investigating the crime?
No, sometimes police investigations or court cases can take a long time to complete and the CICA require you to make your application within 2 years of the incident happening. Waiting for the police to conclude their investigations could jeopardise your claim. The drawback of this is that often defence Solicitors will try and use the fact that you are claiming compensation to try and discredit you. This is unfair but does happen.
What type of payments can I claim for?
- Injury payments
- Loss of earnings
- Special expenses
- Bereavement payments
- Child’s payments
- Dependency payments
- Funeral payments
- Certain other payments in fatal cases
What if my injuries are only minor?
If your injuries are worth less than £1000 you may be able to make a claim through the hardship fund. This was introduced by the Government to provide temporary assistance to very low-paid workers who suffer financial hardship due to being a victim of a violent crime. Examples of minor injuries include a broken nose, fractured ribs or extensive bruising.
Can I claim for more than one injury?
The CICA will only allow you to claim for up to three injuries, but the amounts paid for the second and third injuries are reduced as follows:
- Most serious injury – 100% of the compensation award for that type of injury.
- Second most serious injury – 30% of the compensation award.
- Third most serious injury – 15% of the compensation award.
Does it matter if I lived with the assailant when I was attacked?
If you were living with the assailant at the time of the attack but are not at the time of your application, then you still be able to make a claim. This will apply only if you are unlikely to ever live with the assailant again. The person who injured you cannot benefit from the award.
Can I claim if I was attacked by an animal?
Yes, but only if you can show that the animal was deliberately set upon you or that the animal owner’s failure to control the animal which was known to be vicious towards humans and that such lack of control amounted to recklessness.
Faq
Have a question?
For further information read our frequently asked questions.
What is the Criminal Injuries Compensation authority?
The CICA (Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority) is a government funded scheme designed to help innocent victims of crime. It is often called “the scheme of last resort” as its purpose is to help victims when no other option is available. The scheme is designed for people who have suffered injury as a result of an act of violence. If this has happened to you and for whatever reason, you have been unable to take civil proceedings to recover compensation , because the perpetrators are either unknown or do not have the means to pay then you may be eligible to make a claim under the scheme.
How will I pay for your services?
Your claim will be dealt with on a Contingency Fee agreement or no win no fee. This means that if you win, we will deduct 25% of the compensation you are awarded. So, for example, if you were awarded £5000 you would receive £3750 after we deducted our charges. If your claim is unsuccessful, you don’t pay us a penny.
Will the information I provide you with be taken in confidence?
Everything you tell us will be treated in the strictest of confidence so you can rest assured that no one will ever know about your claim unless you tell them.
Do I have to provide you with medical evidence of my injuries?
As the applicant, you must always cooperate and provide any information requested of you. The responsibility is on you to prove that you are eligible for a payment and so you must provide evidence to show that you meet the criteria and can provide evidence of the injury suffered. Usually, this will involve the CICA requesting access to your medical records. They may also request a report from your GP.
How long will it take for my claim to be processed?
It really depends on how complicated your injuries are, but the average claim takes around 10 months to complete. This will vary from case to case and if your claim is rejected and you appeal it will take considerably longer. Historical sexual abuse claims can take longer, usually 12 to 18 months.
Will the person who caused my injuries find out about my claim?
No, not at all so please do not worry about the person who caused your injuries finding out.
I have unspent convictions; can I still make a claim?
You can still apply, however, compensation may be reduced or withdrawn if you are seen as morally undeserving of an award. In general terms, if you have a community or custodial sentence then it is likely that your claim will be rejected by the CICA. If you have a lesser sentence (other than penalty points, endorsements or fines resulting from motoring offences) a reduction in your sentence is likely. It may also be possible to delay making a claim if you have convictions with only a short time left to run.
Can I still claim if the perpetrator wasn’t found or identified?
A claim can still be made in these circumstances, although it may take a little longer than normal.
Will I have to give a statement to the police?
Yes, you will usually have to do this once the crime has been reported. Part of the criteria for making a claim will involve cooperating in full with the Police and the CICA. If you refuse to cooperate which would include refusing to make a statement, then this could result in your claim being rejected.
You will also be asked to supply the unique police reference number in the application form.
How long do I have to make a claim?
Usually within 2 years from the date of the incident. If you were under 18 at the time of the incident, it is advisable to make the application as early as possible as evidence gathering is more difficult the longer you wait. If the incident was reported to the police before you turned 18, but no application was made the claim must be made before you reach 20. If the incident occurred before you were 18 but was not reported at the time, an application may be made up to 2 years from when the incident was first reported to the police.
If you were an adult at the time of the incident, the two-year time limit can be extended if there were exceptional circumstances that made it impossible for you to make a claim any earlier. For example, if your injuries were so bad that you were physically or mentally unable to do so. If you wish to make a claim beyond two years after the incident, then sufficient evidence will need to be provided to show why your claim has been delayed. Not knowing about the scheme is not a good enough reason.
You do not need to wait until the end of a trial before making an application but there may be tactical reasons why you should wait before submitting your, claim. We can advise you about this in more detail if it’s relevant to your claim.
What happens if I didn’t report it to the police?
Your claim is likely to be turned down. It is a requirement of the scheme that the incident which caused the injury is reported to the police as soon as practically possible. There are exceptions to this rule and we would suggest that you contact us and explain your individual circumstances for more information.
I was drunk when I was raped, can I still make a claim?
Yes, you can still apply. Being drunk through alcohol or drugs could have implications if it caused you to behave inappropriately or aggressively, however, this does not apply where the intoxication caused you to become more vulnerable to becoming a victim of a crime.
Can I claim for mental injuries?
You can claim for mental injuries but only if you have been diagnosed by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist as suffering from a recognised condition. A referral to a counsellor is not sufficient. However, if you are still having treatment, please call us for further advice and assistance.
I can no longer work because of my injuries; can I claim loss of earnings?
Yes, you can if you have been unable to work or may be prevented from working in the future as a direct result of the accident. You must show that you have been unable to do any work or that you have a limited capacity to work. You must also show that you were in work at the time of the incident or that you either had a good work history for 3 years or a good reason for not having such a work history for 3 years prior to the incident. A good reason would include being in full-time education. Payments are made at a fixed weekly rate, which is the same as statutory sick pay and payments will not be made for the first 28 weeks after the incident.
Are there any other reasons for my claim to be rejected?
Yes. If the CICA consider that you behaved inappropriately either before, during or after the incident that led to the incident, which caused your injury then your chances of success will be affected. For example, if you provoked the attacker in any way for example by using abusive language or gestures or if you threw the first punch your claim could be rejected. The same may also apply if you have been involved with illegal drugs, tax evasion or benefit fraud for example.
If my claim is rejected can I appeal?
Yes. If you are unhappy with the decision made by the CICA then you can ask for a review of the decision. You will have 56 days from the date of the decision to ask for a review. This will involve your application being looked at afresh by a more senior claims officer. If you request a review, it is usually because you have additional evidence or because you believe that the CICA have overlooked evidence or made an error. It is important to remember that following a review your award could go up or down or be withdrawn completely. It is very important that you review the risks of reviews or appeals with your Solicitor. If you are still not happy with the decision following the review, you can appeal to a tribunal. This is a complex process which your Solicitor will explain to you.
Can I claim for historical abuse?
Yes, you can as long as you have reported it to the police and met the relevant criteria.
Do I need to wait until the court case has ended or the police have finished investigating the crime?
No, sometimes police investigations or court cases can take a long time to complete and the CICA require you to make your application within 2 years of the incident happening. Waiting for the police to conclude their investigations could jeopardise your claim. The drawback of this is that often defence Solicitors will try and use the fact that you are claiming compensation to try and discredit you. This is unfair but does happen.
What type of payments can I claim for?
- Injury payments
- Loss of earnings
- Special expenses
- Bereavement payments
- Child’s payments
- Dependency payments
- Funeral payments
- Certain other payments in fatal cases
What if my injuries are only minor?
If your injuries are worth less than £1000 you may be able to make a claim through the hardship fund. This was introduced by the Government to provide temporary assistance to very low-paid workers who suffer financial hardship due to being a victim of a violent crime. Examples of minor injuries include a broken nose, fractured ribs or extensive bruising.
Can I claim for more than one injury?
The CICA will only allow you to claim for up to three injuries, but the amounts paid for the second and third injuries are reduced as follows:
- Most serious injury – 100% of the compensation award for that type of injury.
- Second most serious injury – 30% of the compensation award.
- Third most serious injury – 15% of the compensation award.
Does it matter if I lived with the assailant when I was attacked?
If you were living with the assailant at the time of the attack but are not at the time of your application, then you still be able to make a claim. This will apply only if you are unlikely to ever live with the assailant again. The person who injured you cannot benefit from the award.
Can I claim if I was attacked by an animal?
Yes, but only if you can show that the animal was deliberately set upon you or that the animal owner’s failure to control the animal which was known to be vicious towards humans and that such lack of control amounted to recklessness.
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Alison McCormack
Solicitors