If you have been injured by a violent crime in Accrington or anywhere in England, you may be able to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), a government body that pays awards to blameless victims of violent crime. You do not need the offender to be caught or convicted, but you do need to have reported the crime to the police, and strict time limits apply. This guide explains how CICA claims in Accrington work, who is eligible, how much you could receive and how to start.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different, so please speak to a solicitor about your own circumstances.
What is the CICA?
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority is a government agency that compensates people injured by violent crime in England, Scotland and Wales. Awards are paid under the government’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, which sets out fixed rules on who can claim and how much each injury is worth. You can read the current scheme and apply on GOV.UK: Claim compensation if you were the victim of a crime, GOV.UK.
The CICA is different from a normal personal injury claim. There is no defendant to sue. Instead, you apply directly to the scheme, which pays out of public funds. That matters in cases like assaults, where the attacker often has no money or insurance worth pursuing.
The scheme operates at a substantial scale, paying out a large sum in compensation to victims of violent crime each year. The latest figures are published in the CICA’s annual report on GOV.UK.
Who can make a criminal injury compensation claim?
You can usually apply to the CICA if all of the following are true:
- You were injured by a crime of violence, such as an assault, sexual offence, arson attack or, in some cases, a threat that caused serious psychological harm.
- The crime happened in England, Scotland or Wales, or in another situation covered by the scheme.
- You reported the crime to the police as soon as reasonably possible.
- You cooperated with the police investigation and with the CICA.
Close relatives of someone who died because of a violent crime can also claim in some circumstances, as can people injured while taking a risk to stop a crime or help the police. The precise eligibility rules and exclusions are set out in the scheme itself, so it is worth checking your own position with a solicitor.
You do not need a conviction. Many successful CICA claims involve attackers who were never identified. What the CICA looks for is evidence, on the balance of probabilities, that you were the blameless victim of a crime of violence.
How CICA claims in Accrington work: the process step by step
The CICA claims process is the same across England, and for residents of Accrington, Oswaldtwistle, Clayton-le-Moors and the wider Hyndburn area it typically looks like this:
- Report the crime to the police and keep your crime reference number. Without a police report, a claim will almost certainly fail.
- Apply to the CICA, online or by phone, within the time limit.
- Gather evidence. The CICA will ask the police for a report and may request medical evidence from your GP or hospital. You may need to attend a medical examination.
- Receive a decision. The CICA will either make an award, reduce it, or refuse the claim with reasons.
- Review and appeal if needed. If you disagree with a decision, you can ask for a review, and after that appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Strict deadlines apply at each stage, so check the current limits on GOV.UK or with a solicitor before you act.
A solicitor cannot change the fixed tariff, but can make a real difference in gathering the right medical evidence, presenting psychological injuries properly, challenging unfair reductions and handling reviews and appeals. Our personal injury solicitors in Accrington deal with CICA applications alongside other injury claims, so you have one local team handling everything.
How much compensation could you receive?
CICA awards are set by a fixed tariff. Each qualifying injury has a set value, ranging from modest sums for the least serious qualifying injuries up to much larger awards for the most severe, subject to an overall cap on any one case. The exact tariff values and caps are set out in the scheme on GOV.UK and are reviewed from time to time.
On top of the tariff payment, you may be able to claim:
- Loss of earnings, if you have been unable to work for an extended period.
- Special expenses, such as care costs or damaged physical aids.
- Bereavement and dependency payments in fatal cases.
The amounts, qualifying periods and the way multiple injuries are added together are all governed by the scheme rather than negotiated, so it is worth having a solicitor check how the rules apply to your circumstances. A solicitor can also check whether a CICA award or a civil personal injury claim (for example against an employer whose poor security contributed to an assault at work) would serve you better.
Time limits and common reasons claims are refused
CICA claims must be made within a time limit, which generally runs from the date of the incident, with different rules for those who were children at the time and those who reported the crime later. The CICA can also extend time limits in exceptional circumstances, which is often relevant in historic abuse cases. Because the deadlines are strict and the exceptions are fact-sensitive, do not assume you are out of time without checking. The current limits are set out on GOV.UK, and a solicitor can advise on how they apply.
Claims are commonly refused or reduced because the victim delayed reporting the crime, did not cooperate with the police or the CICA, behaved in a way that contributed to the incident, or has unspent criminal convictions. None of these issues is always fatal to a claim, which is exactly why early legal advice helps.
The official guidance and application portal are on the government website: Claim compensation if you were the victim of a crime, GOV.UK.
FAQ
Do I need the offender to be convicted to make a CICA claim?
No. The CICA can pay compensation even if no one was ever arrested or charged, provided the evidence shows you were the victim of a crime of violence and you reported it to the police.
How long does a CICA claim take?
Timescales vary. Straightforward claims are usually decided more quickly, while complex cases involving serious or psychological injuries can take considerably longer.
Can I claim for psychological injuries?
Yes. The scheme compensates diagnosed psychiatric injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder, usually supported by appropriate medical evidence. Our solicitors can advise on the evidence likely to be needed in your case.
Will my CICA compensation affect my benefits?
It can do, because a lump sum may count as capital for means-tested benefits. Placing an award in a personal injury trust can often protect your entitlement, and a solicitor can advise on this.
Getting help with CICA claims in Accrington
Being injured by a crime is distressing enough without wrestling with an unfamiliar compensation scheme on your own. The rules on CICA claims in Accrington are the same as everywhere in England, but local, face-to-face support makes the process far less daunting. Abbey Court Solicitors is based in Accrington and helps victims of violent crime across Hyndburn and Lancashire prepare strong applications, challenge unfair decisions and consider whether a civil claim might recover more. If you would like to talk it through, contact our solicitors in Accrington for a confidential conversation about your options.