How long do I have to make a criminal injuries compensation claim?

If you want to make a criminal injuries compensation claim, but you’re unsure what the deadline is, Fletchers Serious Injury can help. We have more than 30-years’ experience in securing criminal injuries compensation across the UK, and have a long-standing relationship with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

Want to know how long you have to make a claim? Read on to discover how our specialist criminal injury solicitors can help you.

Is there a time limit for claiming criminal injuries compensation?

To claim for criminal injuries compensation, an applicant should make a CICA claim as soon as possible.

The general rule is that an applicant must apply to CICA within two years of the violent crime in order to pursue a claim.

There are some exceptions to this rule:

• The applicant’s physical or mental health has prevented them from bringing a claim earlier
• Where a claim is being made as a result of childhood sexual or physical abuse

Eligible CICA claims can often take 12-18 months before an award is offered. This is because a priority system is in place, whereby older cases with CICA are prioritised.

Cases involving complex injuries may not settle within this timeframe. Ultimately, CICA will not reach a decision on the award in an eligible case where an applicant’s level of recovery is unknown, or treatment is ongoing within that case.

As specialist criminal injury solicitors, we will maximise the value of your claim

Fletchers Serious Injury

Can I claim criminal victim compensation on behalf of someone else?

Generally speaking, adults who are physically and mentally able need to submit their claim to CICA on their own accord.

However, there are exceptions:

• Parents, or persons with parental responsibility for a child, can complete applications to CICA on behalf of their child. Details and proof of relationship to the child will be required in the application stage.
• You can apply on behalf of a person who lacks mental capacity to make their own application. CICA would require proof of a person’s authority to act, and may also require medical evidence that the person being represented lacks mental capacity, in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• CICA will progress claims by a parent, relative, friend on behalf of someone else if they are acting under a registered Enduring Power of Attorney or a Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs
• In the absence of the above, an application for authority to conduct, negotiate and conclude the CICA claim must be made to the Court of Protection

How working with a specialist solicitor is beneficial to your case

As a victim of a criminal injury, you can claim yourself online, but the benefit of working with an experienced legal advisor is that all the stress and uncertainty is taken away.

Naturally there’s some red tape to cut through, but we know how to handle that.

As specialist criminal injury solicitors, we’ve been dealing with CICA claims for many years.  As a result, we have built a high level of expertise and we can help guide you through the many complexities of a criminal injuries claim.

Once the case is accepted, we will walk you through the potential scenarios and hurdles ahead, and make sure you’re informed each step of the journey so you can claim criminal victim compensation.

If you are a victim of, or witnessed an attack that resulted in criminal injuries, call our expert criminal injury lawyers on 0330 013 0251 today to ensure that you receive the right advice, as quickly as possible.

Rest assured, our dedicated and friendly team will answer any questions you may have.