Criminal Injuries Compensation Solicitors — Scotland

Criminal Injury Compensation

Criminal injury compensation claims

We understand how harrowing a criminal injury can be. Whether you’ve suffered a physical injury or experienced psychological trauma as a result of violent crime, we can help you seek the compensation that you deserve.

In criminal injury cases, we work with The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) to compensate you as the blameless victim of a violent crime. The CICA is a government body that was set up to help those who have been physically or mentally injured as innocent victims of violent crimes through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

How the CICA helps victims

• The CICA provides a way for victims to claim compensation without having to pursue a claim directly against the offender or attacker
• Through the criminal injury claim process, the CICA can award compensation to cover various costs, such as medical expenses, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering
• The CICA claims process tends to be more straightforward than a typical personal injury claim, as it does not require the claimant to prove fault on the part of the offender.

At Watermans, our legal team is able to guide you through the entire process and assist in submitting your criminal injury claim for the compensation that you deserve. We may even be able to help you claim for compensation if the perpetrator has never been caught, identified or convicted.

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Common Criminal Injury Claims  

What criminal injuries can you claim for?

If you have been the victim of a crime and suffered an injury as a result, you may be eligible to make a CICA claim through the scheme for Criminal Injuries Compensation in Scotland. This scheme covers various injuries resulting from criminal violence, including both physical and psychological harm.

Some of the most common types of injuries that you can make a compensation claim for include:

Physical injuries

If you have suffered physical harm, such as broken bones or spinal injuries, as a result of being attacked or assaulted, you may be entitled to personal injury compensation. Physical assault injuries can range from minor to life-altering, and the amount of compensation will be calculated based on the seriousness of the injury.

Sexual abuse

If you’re a victim of sexual abuse, you can claim compensation for the physical and psychological harm you have endured. This type of criminal assault can have long-lasting effects, and compensation can cover the costs of therapy and support services.

Psychological trauma

Even if you have not suffered any visible physical injuries, you may still be able to claim compensation for the psychological impact of being a victim of crime. This can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Compensation can help you cover the costs of mental health treatment and support.

Fatal injuries

If a loved one has died as a result of criminal violence, you may be able to claim compensation through the CICA scheme on their behalf. This can help cover funeral expenses, loss of income, and other costs associated with their death.

At Watermans, our specialist criminal injury solicitors are experts in handling claims of this nature. We will take care of all the legal stuff so you don’t have to.

Making a Claim 

How do I make a criminal injury compensation claim?

If you or someone you know has been injured in a crime within the last two years, you may be entitled to compensation. As a victim of a crime, you may suffer both physically and psychologically. If you were an innocent party in the crime, it is your right to seek compensation for any damages you have suffered.

The process of making a claim for criminal injury compensation in Scotland includes the following steps:

• Report the crime to the police – It is important to note that the first step in making a criminal injury compensation claim is to report the crime to the police as soon as possible. This will trigger a police investigation and provide an official record of the incident.
• Complete the CICA application – You will need to fill out a claim form detailing the circumstances of the crime, the injuries you sustained, and any expenses or losses you have incurred as a result. Our specialist team can assist you in completing this form accurately.
• Gather evidence – To strengthen your claim, you should collect any relevant evidence, such as medical evidence, witness statements, and receipts for expenses related to your injuries. Our criminal injury compensation solicitors can guide you on what evidence is required and help you obtain it.
• Submit your application – Once your application is complete, it should be submitted to the CICA for review. The CICA will assess your claim and may request additional information or evidence.
• Await the CICA’s decision – The CICA will make a decision on your claim based on the information provided. If your claim is successful, they will offer a compensation amount. If you’re unsatisfied with the decision, you have the right to appeal.

We understand that starting a compensation claim as a victim of a crime can be daunting, but we are here to help. Our criminal injury lawyers take the hassle out of the legal process for you and will work tirelessly to ensure a successful claim.

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How Much Compensation?

How much compensation for a criminal injury compensation claim?

We understand that no amount of financial compensation can undo the damage caused by being a victim of a crime that wasn’t your fault. However, it can help you in moving forward with your life.

While there is no definitive criminal injuries compensation calculator or CICA calculator, the following types of compensation may be available:

• Injury payments – This is compensation for the physical and psychological injuries you have suffered as a result of the crime. The amount will depend on the severity and long-term impact of your injuries, as outlined in the CICA’s tariff of injuries.
• Loss of earnings – If your injuries have prevented you from working, you may be able to claim for lost income. This can include both past losses and future loss of earnings if your ability to work is expected to be affected in the long term.
• Medical expenses – You may be able to claim for the cost of medical treatment related to your injuries, including surgery, medication, and rehabilitation. This can also include the cost of counselling or therapy to address any psychological trauma resulting from the crime.
• Special expenses – You may be able to claim for reasonable expenses incurred as a result of your injuries, like the cost of adapting your home or vehicle to accommodate your injuries or the cost of ongoing care if you require long-term support.
• Fatal injury payments – If you’re claiming on behalf of a loved one who died as a result of a crime, you may be entitled to a bereavement payment, funeral expenses, and compensation for the loss of their financial support.

As with all personal injury claims, the amount of compensation you may be entitled to will vary on a case-by-case basis and depend on the circumstances of the crime and the severity of your injuries. Each case is unique, and Watermans legal experts will fight to secure the best possible outcome for you.

Why Watermans? 

Why should I choose Watermans to pursue my claim?

Watermans make legal services look and feel easy so people can move forward in life.

Our expert personal injury team is committed to doing everything to make the claims process straightforward for our clients following an accident. We take the hassle from you and fight each case to secure the maximum level of compensation.

We also provide access to a range of additional services, such as physiotherapy and psychological treatment, to ensure you recover from your injuries as soon as possible and get your life back on track.

Trusted Personal Injury Solicitors in Scotland

Our expertise in personal injury covers a wide range of areas, including:

• Accidents at work
• Public liability claims
• Road traffic accidents
• Fatal and serious injury claims
• Cases relating to abuse

We represent thousands of clients throughout Scotland each year, securing millions of pounds in compensation for our clients. We also work on a no-win, no-fee basis, which means that if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t end up out of pocket.

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