TABLE OF CONTENT
- What is The CICA Scheme?
- History of CICA- Timeline
- What is the CICA Scheme’s Purpose?
- Who Can Claim Compensation?
- CICA Eligibility Criteria
- CICA Application Process
- DOs and DON’Ts of Making a CICA Claim
- Recent Changes in CICA Policies
- Importance of Legal Representation for CICA Claims
- Challenges Faced While Making a Claim
- How to Make Your Claim?
- FAQs
CICA is there to help the victims of some violent crimes in the UK. As these crimes can cause physical and mental injuries, the scheme aims to compensate the victims. It does so by giving a monetary reward. This blog attempts to give an insight into the history and working of Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. .
What is The CICA Scheme?
It is an official government body that lets the victims of violent crimes make monetary claims. These claims can be made for the cases of:
- Rape
- Threats that can cause mental trauma
- Arson
- Physical or sexual assault
- Domestic abuse
History of CICA- Timeline
Here is a timeline showing the history of this authority::
- In 1964, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board was established as a non-statutory scheme, compensating victims based on common law damages.
- In 1995, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act was passed, creating a statutory scheme and establishing it.
- In 1996, it officially became the body responsible for administering the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
- The scheme was revised in 2001, 2008, and 2012, with each revision introducing a new tariff-based system for determining compensation amounts.
- It formally joined the Ministry of Justice as an agency in 2014.
- The authority has now grown into a reputable organization that provides compensation to victims of violent crimes in the UK.
What is the CICA Scheme’s Purpose?
The scheme gives payout in case a physical or mental injury occurs as a result of some crime.. The body was set up to help victims of abuse and violent crimes. Its main aim is to help individuals affected by such crimes get payment for damages. This is mainly crucial when victims have no way of holding those responsible for their injuries accountable.
If a crime has caused you some injury which in turn has led to multiple financial losses, you can still get a payout for that. This authority has outlined their priorities as:
- “Provide an accessible service which treats victims with compassion, sensitivity, and fairness
- Invest in an inclusive, diverse, and professional workforce which lives our values and delivers public service with pride
- Operate an efficient and accurate assessment process and account for the public funds we spend”
-gov.uk
Who Can Claim Compensation?
It can be claimed by either:
- Victims of violent crimes
- Families of Victims who have died because of such an attack
CICA Eligibility Criteria
To get compensation, you need to meet a few rules:
- You must be a victim of violent crime that took place in any part of England, Scotland, or Wales.
- You must apply within 2 years of the crime as late applications are only accepted in special cases.
- The crime must be reported to the police as soon as possible.
- Your injury should be serious enough, minor injuries with no clear damage are not likely to meet this criterion.
- You must already live in the UK or have the right to stay here.
Explore our blog for a more detailed Understanding of the Eligibility Criteria for CICA Claims.
CICA Application Process
Here’s how to apply for compensation:
- Get your information ready like the crime reference number and any medical details.
- Fill out the online form on its official website or hire a solicitor.
- It will check your case while looking at police and medical reports.
- You’ll get a decision if your claim is accepted, they’ll tell you how much you’ll get. This can take a few months.
- You can ask for a review if you don’t agree with the outcome.
Get expert guidance on Making CICA Abuse Claims.
DOs and DON’Ts of Making a CICA Claim
Here are some tips to avoid the pitfalls while making a Claim:
DOs:
- Seek legal advice.
- Respond efficiently.
- Cooperate with police.
- Provide evidence for loss of earnings
- Provide updated contact details
DON’Ts:
- Provide false information
- Miss deadlines for providing supporting evidence
- Delay seeking medical treatment
- Forget to respond back to the decision.
Recent Changes in CICA Policies
Here are some of the key updates to its policies in recent years:
More applications processed:
In 2023–24, over 42,000 applications were received which shows a 13% increase from the year before.
Faster decisions:
68% of claims were settled within 12 months, an improvement from 66% the previous year.
Updated Tariff Table:
- This table sets fixed compensation amounts for different types of injuries.
- Updates were made to better reflect today’s medical and legal standards.
- It includes physical injuries, mental harm, and loss of earnings.
Read our guide on How to Evidence Financial Loss in CICA Claim?
Improved case handling:
The authority continues to refine its process to manage higher volumes of cases and ensure fairer outcomes.
Importance of Legal Representation for CICA Claims
A claim can be applied on your own. But, having a solicitor by your side gives you an edge. They ensure your application covers all the details and evidence which can help you get the desired compensation. If we look into the facts from the year 2022-23, the victims who appealed for their initial offers later got six times more compensation after using the legal help.
Here’s a quick summary of how they help:
- They understand the law and the scheme.
- They make the process fast and easy.
- They help you get more compensation.
- They avoid common mistakes.
- They support you during a difficult time.
Case Study of Ms B.
Ms B from Yorkshire had been abused by her grandfather for a time period of over 7 years. This was a case of historic abuse. She hired a legal representative who submitted her application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in October 2019. Once submitted all the evidence, she was given an offer in March 2020. She got a compensation of £22,000.00 for the abuse and mental trauma she had to go through as a child.
Challenges Faced While Making a Claim
Here are a few challenges that might be faced while making a claim:
- There is no public funding available to assist applicants for applying or appealing against a decision
- Applicants need the services of a solicitor to make the claim
- There did not appear to be a consistent policy on providing direct help to victims
Partner with experienced Solicitors for medico-legal cases.
How to Make Your Claim?
Being a victim of violent crime is painful. A financial award cannot do much for healing but it can help victims get back to their lives eventually. While a CICA claim may be the first step in your healing journey, it is imperative to reach out to a medico-legal expert who can assist you further.
If you have got some injuries by facing a violent incident, Concise Medico’s team of medico-legal experts can take a lead for your case.. Our experts can help you:
- Understand your rights
- Build a strong case
- Get the maximum compensation you are entitled to
FAQs
CICA is there to help the victims of some violent crimes in the UK. As these crimes can cause physical and mental injuries, the scheme aims to compensate the victims. It does so by giving a monetary reward. This blog attempts to give an insight into the history and working of Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. .
What is The CICA Scheme?
It is an official government body that lets the victims of violent crimes make monetary claims. These claims can be made for the cases of:
- Rape
- Threats that can cause mental trauma
- Arson
- Physical or sexual assault
- Domestic abuse
History of CICA- Timeline
Here is a timeline showing the history of this authority::
- In 1964, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board was established as a non-statutory scheme, compensating victims based on common law damages.
- In 1995, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act was passed, creating a statutory scheme and establishing it.
- In 1996, it officially became the body responsible for administering the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
- The scheme was revised in 2001, 2008, and 2012, with each revision introducing a new tariff-based system for determining compensation amounts.
- It formally joined the Ministry of Justice as an agency in 2014.
- The authority has now grown into a reputable organization that provides compensation to victims of violent crimes in the UK.
What is the CICA Scheme’s Purpose?
The scheme gives payout in case a physical or mental injury occurs as a result of some crime.. The body was set up to help victims of abuse and violent crimes. Its main aim is to help individuals affected by such crimes get payment for damages. This is mainly crucial when victims have no way of holding those responsible for their injuries accountable.
If a crime has caused you some injury which in turn has led to multiple financial losses, you can still get a payout for that. This authority has outlined their priorities as:
- “Provide an accessible service which treats victims with compassion, sensitivity, and fairness
- Invest in an inclusive, diverse, and professional workforce which lives our values and delivers public service with pride
- Operate an efficient and accurate assessment process and account for the public funds we spend”
-gov.uk
Who Can Claim Compensation?
It can be claimed by either:
- Victims of violent crimes
- Families of Victims who have died because of such an attack
CICA Eligibility Criteria
To get compensation, you need to meet a few rules:
- You must be a victim of violent crime that took place in any part of England, Scotland, or Wales.
- You must apply within 2 years of the crime as late applications are only accepted in special cases.
- The crime must be reported to the police as soon as possible.
- Your injury should be serious enough, minor injuries with no clear damage are not likely to meet this criterion.
- You must already live in the UK or have the right to stay here.
Explore our blog for a more detailed Understanding of the Eligibility Criteria for CICA Claims.
CICA Application Process
Here’s how to apply for compensation:
- Get your information ready like the crime reference number and any medical details.
- Fill out the online form on its official website or hire a solicitor.
- It will check your case while looking at police and medical reports.
- You’ll get a decision if your claim is accepted, they’ll tell you how much you’ll get. This can take a few months.
- You can ask for a review if you don’t agree with the outcome.
Get expert guidance on Making CICA Abuse Claims.
DOs and DON’Ts of Making a CICA Claim
Here are some tips to avoid the pitfalls while making a Claim:
DOs:
- Seek legal advice.
- Respond efficiently.
- Cooperate with police.
- Provide evidence for loss of earnings
- Provide updated contact details
DON’Ts:
- Provide false information
- Miss deadlines for providing supporting evidence
- Delay seeking medical treatment
- Forget to respond back to the decision.
Recent Changes in CICA Policies
Here are some of the key updates to its policies in recent years:
More applications processed:
In 2023–24, over 42,000 applications were received which shows a 13% increase from the year before.
Faster decisions:
68% of claims were settled within 12 months, an improvement from 66% the previous year.
Updated Tariff Table:
- This table sets fixed compensation amounts for different types of injuries.
- Updates were made to better reflect today’s medical and legal standards.
- It includes physical injuries, mental harm, and loss of earnings.
Read our guide on How to Evidence Financial Loss in CICA Claim?
Improved case handling:
The authority continues to refine its process to manage higher volumes of cases and ensure fairer outcomes.
Importance of Legal Representation for CICA Claims
A claim can be applied on your own. But, having a solicitor by your side gives you an edge. They ensure your application covers all the details and evidence which can help you get the desired compensation. If we look into the facts from the year 2022-23, the victims who appealed for their initial offers later got six times more compensation after using the legal help.
Here’s a quick summary of how they help:
- They understand the law and the scheme.
- They make the process fast and easy.
- They help you get more compensation.
- They avoid common mistakes.
- They support you during a difficult time.
Case Study of Ms B.
Ms B from Yorkshire had been abused by her grandfather for a time period of over 7 years. This was a case of historic abuse. She hired a legal representative who submitted her application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in October 2019. Once submitted all the evidence, she was given an offer in March 2020. She got a compensation of £22,000.00 for the abuse and mental trauma she had to go through as a child.
Challenges Faced While Making a Claim
Here are a few challenges that might be faced while making a claim:
- There is no public funding available to assist applicants for applying or appealing against a decision
- Applicants need the services of a solicitor to make the claim
- There did not appear to be a consistent policy on providing direct help to victims
Partner with experienced Solicitors for medico-legal cases.
How to Make Your Claim?
Being a victim of violent crime is painful. A financial award cannot do much for healing but it can help victims get back to their lives eventually. While a CICA claim may be the first step in your healing journey, it is imperative to reach out to a medico-legal expert who can assist you further.
If you have got some injuries by facing a violent incident, Concise Medico’s team of medico-legal experts can take a lead for your case.. Our experts can help you:
- Understand your rights
- Build a strong case
- Get the maximum compensation you are entitled to
