Criminal Injuries Compensation Claim CICA Solicitors – No win no fee
If you have been the victim of a violent crime and suffered injuries we will help you claim the right amount of compensation as we know the impact it can have on your life, work and family.
We will support you by providing a free assessment of your claim and free legal advice. You can trust us to work hard to obtain the maximum compensation for you. We will guide you through the process step by step and make it as stress free as possible for you.
As we work on a no win o fee basis if your claim is not successful there is nothing for you to pay. If you would like to discuss your claim in confidence with a solicitor call us on 01925 937070 or email us at diane@dsmlegal.co.uk.
What is Criminal Injuries Compensation CICA?
The government – and indeed society – recognises that victims of violent crime should be compensated. The CICA is a scheme that was was set up Government in 1964 and funded by them to provide a safety net for victims by awarding financial compensation for injuries sustained and other losses incurred, such as loss of earnings.
However, navigating the CICA process can be complicated and confusing, especially if you are already dealing with significant trauma.
Expert legal advice is often crucial to securing the compensation you deserve. At DSM Legal we have many years’ experience of bringing claims under the CICA scheme and so can ensure that you receive the best advice and ongoing support throughout.
What is classed as a criminal injury?
Some examples of crimes for which you can claim compensation are:
- A physical assault
- Threat of an assault which puts you in fear for your safety
- An armed robbery
- Domestic violence
- A sexual assault, such as rape
- A mugging
- Assault with or without a weapon
- Sexual or physical abuse
If you would like to discuss your claim in confidence call us on 01925 937070. Alternatively, if you email us at info@dsmlegal.co.uk we will respond as soon as possible.
Who can bring a claim for CICA criminal injuries compensation?
Eligibility
- To make a successful claim the first thing you must do is to report the crime to the police as soon as reasonably possible – this is because any unreasonable delay may result in your claim being rejected or the award being reduced. Sometimes it may not be possible for you to report the incident immediately if you have been seriously injured, but if this is the case then someone else can report the incident on your behalf. The police will take a statement from you as soon as they are able to do so.
- The crime must have occurred in England, Wales or Scotland.
- An application must be made to the CICA within two years of the incident. There are certain exceptions to this, for example child abuse where the victim only felt able to report the crime later in life.
- The crime must be once of violence – including domestic violence and sexual assault.
- You must not have been convicted and received a custodial sentence, community or a youth rehabilitation order.
Contact Us For Free Legal Advice
Call 01925 937070 for a free, no obligation chat with one of our team and a solicitor will contact you.
We will advise on whether you have a claim and if so will make the application on your behalf. It is free to find out if you qualify to make a claim.
Criminal Injuries Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much compensation will I receive from the CICA?
A: This will depend on the severity of your injuries, however your claim will be rejected by the CICA if your injuries are minor, ie considered to be less than £1,000.00. Awards are based on a tariff system and can be as high as £500,000.00 for the most severe injuries. In cases where you have to take extended time off work you can claim for loss of earnings.
Q: Can I claim for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
A: Yes, you are entitled to be compensated for mental trauma such as PTSD and depression as well as claiming for physical injuries.
Q: How long does a CICA claim take?
A. This depends on a number of factors such as the seriousness of your injury, the time it takes for you to recover or the point at which a prognosis can be given or if further investigation is required. The police and hospital where you were treated will be contacted and your medical records obtained. Witnesses will have to be contacted and statements taken.
The CICA has a high volume of claims and an extensive backlog which will impact upon how long it will take to settle your case, but the average timescales are between 12 – 18 months, sometimes longer.
Q. Why should I choose DSM Legal Solicitors?
You can be sure of a genuine ‘no win, no fee‘ service with no hidden charges. We will never ask you for money up front or during the course of your claim.
We are an experienced, specialist firm of injury solicitors in Warrington who offer a personal service.
You will have the support of a small, dedicated team throughout your claim.
Only a fully-qualified and experienced solicitor will handle your criminal injury compensation claim ensuring you receive the best possible service.
We will gather all the necessary evidence needed for your claim and submit it to the CICA on your behalf.
The claim is risk-free – if your claim is not successful we do not charge anything.
Q. How much does it cost to bring a CICA claim?
Legal Aid is not available for CICA claims but our no win no fee charges are completely transparent – we deduct 25% including VAT from your claim only if it is successful. Most solicitors will charge more than this – some as much as 35% but we believe that you should keep as much of your compensation as possible as you are the one who has suffered injury and trauma.
We will keep you informed with regular updates and are always happy to answer any queries you may have at any time.
If you want to find out whether you have a criminal injury compensation claim contact Diane Massey for a free confidential, no obligation discussion on 01925 937070.
Warrington and Cheshire Criminal Injury compensation solicitors
Our office is based in Warrington town centre but we can and do take claims from across England.
We can assist with all types of criminal injury compensation claims as well as personal injury (accident claims), serious injury claims including fatality claims, road traffic accident claims (car accidents), medical negligence, lasting powers of attorney, wills, oaths, affidavits and statutory declarations, document certification service, settlement agreements and professional negligence claims.
- We can offer evening or weekend calls if it is difficult to speak during office hours
- Home or hospital visits can be arranged if you are unable to travel and prefer to see someone is person.
Click to open and read our Criminal Injuries Compensation Check List.
What Shall I Do Next?
Call us on 01925 937070 for a free, confidential, no obligation chat. Alternatively if you prefer you can email diane@dsmlegal.co.uk. We’re more than happy to answer any questions you may have.