What you can get compensation for
If you've been physically or mentally injured by a violent crime (including hate crime) you can apply for compensation under the UK government's criminal injuries compensation scheme.
You can get compensation for:
- physical injuries
- disabling mental injuries
- physical abuse or sexual abuse
- the death of a close relative
- paying for someone’s funeral
- loss of earnings and expenses
How to make a claim for compensation
You can make a claim online. It does not cost anything to apply. You do not have to use a legal adviser. If you choose to use one, you cannot claim the cost back. You will usually get a decision within 12 months, but it can take longer.
Contact the CICA helpline if you need help - 0300 003 3601 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm).
You can make a claim here:
Click here
How much compensation you can get
You may be eligible for an injury payment of between £1,000 and £250,000. The amount will be determined by:
- the type and severity of injury you’ve suffered
- how much you’ve recovered (returned to normal)
- how long the symptoms will last
- the level of any disability caused
- You can apply for multiple injuries.
Decision-makers use a ‘tariff of injuries’ to decide the level of compensation – a list can be found on the government website here:
Click here
Eligibility to make a compensation claim
To be eligible, the crime must have happened in England, Wales or Scotland. It must be reported to the police. In most cases you must apply within 2 years of the crime happening.
What you need to apply for compensation
When you make a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), you need to provide:
- the date and location of the crime
- the name of the police force you reported the crime to
- your crime reference number
- your GP’s name and address
- your dentist’s name and address (if you had dental treatment because of your injuries)
- details of any previous applications you’ve made to CICA
If someone is convicted of a crime against you, the court may order them to pay you compensation. You can be compensated for a range of things, such as:
- personal injury
- losses from theft or damage to property
- losses from fraud
- being off work
- medical expenses
- travel expenses
- pain and suffering
- loss, damage or injury caused to or by a stolen vehicle.
If you want the court to consider awarding you compensation, you need to tell the police. You will need to give them details about the loss or damage you’ve suffered. The police will give this information to the Crown Prosecution Service, who will then make the request in court.
If the court decides an offender must pay you compensation, it will be limited to what they can afford and may depend on the sentence the court has given them. For example, the court will not usually order an offender to pay compensation if they’re being sent to prison.
