The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority* (CICA) Claims Process can be a daunting thought for those not familiar with how it works and not knowing what to expect.
However, here at CICA Claims we are Criminal Injuries Compensation Specialists, able to support our clients and guide them at each step of the process in making an application to Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority on our clients behalf, to ensure they have the maximum chance of getting the compensation they deserve.
What is the CICA*?
For those unfamiliar with the term, CICA is the acronym for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority are responsible for the administration of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme which makes payments of compensation to people whom have been injured because they were the victim of a violent crime in England, Scotland or Wales.
Getting victims of violent crime, historic child abuse and sexual crime the compensation they deserve is at the heart of what we do at CICA Claims and our pursuit on behalf of our clients, every day we see the difference that a successful claim can do for our clients.
Whilst no amount can ever seem appropriate to compensate a victim of a serious violent and/or sexual crime, just helping clients secure the maximum they are entitled to under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme can help some clients get a greater sense of closure from their traumatic experience as the mental scars still linger, long after the physical scars have subsided.
Being a victim of crime and its after effects can be life changing and the process of getting compensation may seem daunting, particularly the worry about revisiting the trauma and mental injuries that last long after any physical injuries may have healed.
CICA Claims solicitors are trained to be highly sensitive to our clients needs during these proceedings and to keep any trauma of these memories to an absolute minimum.
For those who may be unaware of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Claims Process or have just learned of it but are uncertain of the details, we have put together a short list of the most common steps in making an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
There are several stages involved in making an application for criminal injury compensation to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
Most of the clients of CICA Claims will follow this route:-
- Contact CICA Claims on 0333 3581 999 or complete the online contact form;
- Our Criminal Injury Specialists will speak to you about the incident/abuse and give you our opinion as to the strength of your claim.
- If we believe that the claim has good prospects of success we will offer you a No Win, No Fee Agreement. You sign the contract with us and we submit the Application on your behalf to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
- The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority* (CICA) will then investigate the claim. They will contact any relevant parties but these will nearly always include:-
- The Police – who will confirm the incident as reported to them and the outcome of any criminal investigation.
- Your GP – to obtain your Medical Records to detail your injuries, diagnosis and prognosis
- The Hospital to advise the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority* of any treatment received
- The Criminal Records Office who will advise the CICA of any criminal convictions you may have or pending prosecutions
- Any other medical experts such as psychiatrist, psychologist or mental health professional who may be able to assist the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority* with a diagnosis of your condition and prognosis
- Depending of the response from all these agencies the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority* (CICA) may request further information which we will then provide to them. We will liaise with you at every stage.
- We will contact the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority on your behalf each month for an update if we have not heard from them in that period of time.
- On average a case takes approximately one year to reach a decision but this is very much dependent upon the amount of work which is undertaken and how complex the case. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority* CICA will either reject the Application or make an offer of an award.
- We will advise you of the value of your case and whether the award should be accepted or rejected.
- If the Application is refused we will discuss with you the prospects of an Application for a Review and thereafter a further Appeal.
- If an award is accepted this firms No Win No Fee costs are then deducted in the sum of 25% plus VAT and the remaining 70% of the award is transferred into your Bank Account.
What to Expect from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) Claim Process – as told by a customer
“I would like to thank you all so much. After years of what has been a nightmare for me, I finally feel that what happened to me all those years ago has been vindicated that is because of an advertisement that I followed up.
I left a text message and was contacted by Andrew at CICA Claims; he was so sensitive he made me feel comfortable straight away. I explained everything the best I could.
Andrew advised that before we could go any further I needed to contact the police. I couldn’t bring myself to do that so Andrew did it for me.
Once the police were involved I had contact with Pam and also Hannah, they also where very supportive. I was never pushed or bullied into doing anything, they just supported me all the way on this journey and for that I would like to thank each and every one of them for their help, support, and kindness. And of course for winning my case. Thank you all.”
Ms B – Yorkshire
If you would like to know more on Criminal Injuries Compensation from CICA Claims or for us to make an application for criminal injuries compensation to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority on your behalf, please get in touch and speak to one of our Criminal Injury Specialist Solicitors.
