Criminal Injury (CICA)

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) provides compensation to victims of violent crime in England, Scotland, and Wales. This is a government-funded scheme — claimants do not need to sue the offender personally. Northern Ireland has a separate scheme administered by the Compensation Services.

Eligible crimes include physical assault, sexual assault, domestic violence, robbery involving violence, arson, poisoning, and being injured while trying to prevent a crime or apprehend a suspect. The crime must have been reported to the police, though there are exceptions in cases involving children or domestic abuse.

Claims must generally be made within 2 years of the incident (though this can be extended for children, who have until their 20th birthday). The scheme uses a tariff system with fixed awards for specific injuries. Applicants must cooperate with the police investigation and any criminal prosecution.

Compensation is awarded on a tariff basis: minor injuries start at £1,000, moderate injuries range from £2,500 to £11,000, serious injuries from £11,000 to £44,000, and the most severe injuries (brain damage, paralysis) can reach £250,000. Additional payments for loss of earnings and special expenses may apply. Fatal injury claims provide bereavement awards to qualifying relatives.