TABLE OF CONTENT
Understanding How CICA Compensation is Calculated
CICA is a way for individuals impacted by violent crimes to get financial compensation. A wing of the Ministry of Justice in the UK, CICA can help victims of violent crimes in rebuilding their lives. However, you might have questions about the CICA compensation calculation.
How CICA compensation is calculated? What steps do you need to go through to get it? Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about CICA claims.
What is CICA?
A government-funded scheme, CICA is designed to compensate victims of violent crimes. In case an individual doesn’t survive the crime, their loved ones are eligible for compensation. Furthermore, it also covers claims of individuals not directly impacted by the crime but by being a witness.
However, what does a violent crime mean, exactly? It is important to be clear about its definition before you can claim for CICA.
What is a Violent Crime?
A violent crime can take many forms, but to seek CICA, it must come under one of the following categories:
- A physical attack
- A violent act that causes physical injury
- A threat of violence that can cause mental injury
- A sexual attack or assault
- An attack involving arson
There are other factors that can impact your CICA claim, learn more about them here.
How CICA Compensation is Calculated
Talking about CICA compensation calculation, a minimum and maximum limit has been set. The minimum limit is set at £1,000 while the maximum cap is £500,000.
CICA Tariff
The CICA has a tariff system through which victims are given compensation for physical or psychiatric injuries. However, there is a separate section for sexual offences, from the lowest being £1,000 to the highest compensation at £44,000. The highest compensation is given in cases of rape exceeding a period of three years.
Compensation Qualification
If an individual has more than one injury, CICA can compensate for up to three injuries in the following manner:
- 100% of compensation set according to the tariff for the most serious injury
- 30% of the compensation for the second most serious injury
- 15% of compensation for the third most serious injury
Furthermore, an additional amount is awarded if one of the following statements becomes true:
- Victim becomes pregnant
- Victim goes through a miscarriage
- Victim contracts an STI (sexually transmitted disease)
Loss of Earnings
If the victim has lost their ability to work after the injury, they are eligible for a loss of earnings award from CICA. However, the victim cannot get compensated if they remain out of work for less than 28 weeks. Loss of earnings applies after the completion of 28 weeks.
Additionally, the victim needs to have a proven work history over the last three years to show that the incident impacted their work or career. Without that, they will be ineligible for compensation unless they have a valid reason for being out of work.
Special Expenses & Other Payments
CICA also pays special expenses for damaged goods and services. This may include wheelchairs, walking sticks, dentures, glasses, or costs arising from the treatment.
Furthermore, if the victim has died due to the crime, their loved ones can receive compensation including bereavement, child support, dependency, or funeral costs.
Accepting the Compensation or Requesting Review
Once the CICA compensation calculation is completed, the next step is either accepting the compensation or requesting changes. The applicant has 56 days to take action after which the compensation will no longer be available to claim.
If the applicant or victim wishes to claim higher compensation, they must do so within the deadline. An additional 56 can be given to the applicant to gather evidence for their new claim.
Barriers to Compensation
The CICA can refuse compensation to a victim if any of the following statements are true:
- The victim has a criminal record
- The victim has been in a youth rehabilitation centre
- The victim does not have proper conduct and character
While CICA aims to help the victims, the system needs further improvement. Reforms should be based on reviews given by victims themselves, people who have been through the system and faced its challenges. According to an article by Liam O’Driscoll,
“As part of this reform process, it is vital that the voices of victims and those who have experienced the tribunal process are listened to in terms of how best to improve the scheme.”
Concluding Thoughts
Going through a violent incident can scar you for a long time and CICA aims to help you recover through the compensation scheme. However, if you are not satisfied with your CICA compensation calculation, you can request a review within 56 days and claim better compensation.
Understanding How CICA Compensation is Calculated
CICA is a way for individuals impacted by violent crimes to get financial compensation. A wing of the Ministry of Justice in the UK, CICA can help victims of violent crimes in rebuilding their lives. However, you might have questions about the CICA compensation calculation.
How CICA compensation is calculated? What steps do you need to go through to get it? Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about CICA claims.
What is CICA?
A government-funded scheme, CICA is designed to compensate victims of violent crimes. In case an individual doesn’t survive the crime, their loved ones are eligible for compensation. Furthermore, it also covers claims of individuals not directly impacted by the crime but by being a witness.
However, what does a violent crime mean, exactly? It is important to be clear about its definition before you can claim for CICA.
What is a Violent Crime?
A violent crime can take many forms, but to seek CICA, it must come under one of the following categories:
- A physical attack
- A violent act that causes physical injury
- A threat of violence that can cause mental injury
- A sexual attack or assault
- An attack involving arson
There are other factors that can impact your CICA claim, learn more about them here.
How CICA Compensation is Calculated
Talking about CICA compensation calculation, a minimum and maximum limit has been set. The minimum limit is set at £1,000 while the maximum cap is £500,000.
CICA Tariff
The CICA has a tariff system through which victims are given compensation for physical or psychiatric injuries. However, there is a separate section for sexual offences, from the lowest being £1,000 to the highest compensation at £44,000. The highest compensation is given in cases of rape exceeding a period of three years.
Compensation Qualification
If an individual has more than one injury, CICA can compensate for up to three injuries in the following manner:
- 100% of compensation set according to the tariff for the most serious injury
- 30% of the compensation for the second most serious injury
- 15% of compensation for the third most serious injury
Furthermore, an additional amount is awarded if one of the following statements becomes true:
- Victim becomes pregnant
- Victim goes through a miscarriage
- Victim contracts an STI (sexually transmitted disease)
Loss of Earnings
If the victim has lost their ability to work after the injury, they are eligible for a loss of earnings award from CICA. However, the victim cannot get compensated if they remain out of work for less than 28 weeks. Loss of earnings applies after the completion of 28 weeks.
Additionally, the victim needs to have a proven work history over the last three years to show that the incident impacted their work or career. Without that, they will be ineligible for compensation unless they have a valid reason for being out of work.
Special Expenses & Other Payments
CICA also pays special expenses for damaged goods and services. This may include wheelchairs, walking sticks, dentures, glasses, or costs arising from the treatment.
Furthermore, if the victim has died due to the crime, their loved ones can receive compensation including bereavement, child support, dependency, or funeral costs.
Accepting the Compensation or Requesting Review
Once the CICA compensation calculation is completed, the next step is either accepting the compensation or requesting changes. The applicant has 56 days to take action after which the compensation will no longer be available to claim.
If the applicant or victim wishes to claim higher compensation, they must do so within the deadline. An additional 56 can be given to the applicant to gather evidence for their new claim.
Barriers to Compensation
The CICA can refuse compensation to a victim if any of the following statements are true:
- The victim has a criminal record
- The victim has been in a youth rehabilitation centre
- The victim does not have proper conduct and character
While CICA aims to help the victims, the system needs further improvement. Reforms should be based on reviews given by victims themselves, people who have been through the system and faced its challenges. According to an article by Liam O’Driscoll,
“As part of this reform process, it is vital that the voices of victims and those who have experienced the tribunal process are listened to in terms of how best to improve the scheme.”
Concluding Thoughts
Going through a violent incident can scar you for a long time and CICA aims to help you recover through the compensation scheme. However, if you are not satisfied with your CICA compensation calculation, you can request a review within 56 days and claim better compensation.
