Criminal injuries compensation update

Compensation for injuries sustained as a result of a criminal act can be compensated by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (“CICA”) which runs a Government-funded scheme established to help victims of crime.

The scheme was renewed in 2012 and with the renewal came stricter eligibility requirements.

Recent decisions by the CICA suggest that the new regime is now in full swing. In particular, the CICA is placing greater emphasis on the following:

• reporting the crime: an applicant must report the crime to the police. This can sometimes be extremely difficult to do due to anxiety, family difficulties or peer pressure. However, to qualify under the scheme, the incident must have been reported to the police;
• co-operation with the police and the Criminal Justice System: it is not necessary for the person who committed the crime to be identified or even convicted, but the victim of the crime must do everything practicably possible to bring the assailant to justice and to assist the police in their investigations.

This renewed approach can make pursuing a claim more complicated but our team has experience in handling claims under the new scheme and we are here to assist.

For just a small percentage of your damages we can eliminate the stress from the process and ensure you are receiving the correct award based on the full extent of your injuries.

If you have suffered an injury as a result of a criminal act, contact us today so that we can help you to claim the award at the right level and for the amount you deserve.