Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority - Tariff Scheme Claims

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) tariff scheme wherein injuries are assigned in bands which have set values was introduced in 1996 and amended in 2001. The tariff scheme has 25 levels of compensation for injuries which start at 1,000 with a maximum award of £250,000. An additional £250,000 may be awarded for loss of earnings and for special expenses. The maximum amount payable by the CICA is £500,000 in total.

For multiple injury claims a maximum of three separate injuries are taken into consideration by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. The most serious injury is paid in full according to its banding however the remaining injuries are discounted as below :-

1. 100% of scale value for the most serious injury
2. 30% of scale value for the next most serious
3. 15% of scale value for the least serious

If the victim dies following an assault, a fixed amount is paid to eligible claimants. If there is only one eligible claimant then the award is £11,000. If there is more than one eligible claimant each will receive £5,500. Qualified Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority claimants are :-

• parents or children of the victim (either natural parents/children or as accepted by the victim)
• legal spouse of the victim (provided they were living together prior to the death of the victim)
• deceased’s partner who has been living with him for at least two years before the incident which includes same sex partners
• former spouse who was financially dependent on the victim – this allows for reduced compensation

A person who does not qualify as a claimant but paid for the funeral may claim reasonable out of pocket expenses. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority may make an award to other qualified claimants who were financially dependent on the victim, especially if the victim was considered to have parental responsibilities.

For cases of physical and sexual abuse, the maximum amount of compensation that can be awarded is £33,000, regardless of the duration of the abuse. It is at the discretion of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority whether to compensate each single incident or to compensate a series of incidents over a period of time. For cases with further complications resulting directly from the abuse – such as pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases – the CICA may award additional compensation.

A refusal by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority to pay compensation for physical or mental trauma suffered as a result of violent crime is not the end of the matter. In the event that a claim is refused or the amount on offer is insufficient we can take the claim to the independent appeal panel. If you have a reasonable case that deserves compensation we will appeal on your behalf. This appeal will be carried out by our solicitors using the same no win no fee terms outlined above.

Our specialist personal injury solicitors deal with applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority using the no win no fee scheme and will not charge you if the application fails for any reason. Neither do you have to pay for expenses incurred in the duration of the claim. For free, no obligation advice, just call the helpline or send the contact form.