CRIMINAL INJURY COMPENSATION BOARD CLAIM

Our specialist personal injury solicitors can help you get the compensation you deserve. All Criminal Injury Compensation Board cases are taken on a no win no fee basis - you pay absolutely no legal expenses or fees unless you receive an award. We make it risk-free for victims of violent crimes to bring compensation claims.

Innocent victims of violent crime have the option of making an application for an award to the Criminal Injury Compensation Board which is a government-run scheme that was established to provide victims of violent crime with financial compensation for their physical and emotional injuries. In order to be eligible for an award an application must be submitted within two years of the incident.

There is no requirement that the perpetrator be identified, apprehended or prosecuted in order to bring a Criminal Injury Compensation Board claim. However, the victim is required to report the incident to the police as soon as possible and must also cooperate with the authorities during the investigation of the crime. If the victim fails to meet either of those requirements, the Criminal Injury Compensation Board has the authority to reduce or deny the claimant’s award.

The Criminal Injury Compensation Board employs a tariff scheme in determining how much to award a successful claimant. Victims are compensated for a maximum of three injuries. If the victim suffered more than three injuries, they will be compensated for the three most serious of their injuries. The full amount of compensation dictated by the tariff bands is awarded for the most serious injury. The amounts awarded for the second and third most serious injuries are reduced by a set percentage.

In calculating the amount of damages to award a claimant, the Criminal Injury Compensation Board relies largely on the tariff scheme however there is authority to reduce the award in consideration of certain factors, such as the culpability of the victim. These are some of the factors that may be taken into consideration when reviewing a compensation claim :-

• The victim’s conduct before, during and after the incident. For example, did the victim behave in a way so as to provoke the attack? Was the victim intoxicated? If so, did it contribute to the incident? Did the victim retaliate?
• Previous convictions that are 'unspent' are taken into account as in certain circumstances it is considered by the Criminal Injury Compensation Board to be inappropriate to make an award from public funds to offenders.
• Whether the victim and the assailant live in the same household. The court considers this factor because the assailant cannot benefit from the award.

Our specialist lawyers provide free legal advice on all matters related to personal injury claims. To speak with one of our experienced and qualified solicitors, contact us today by completing the form on this website or calling our helpline. There is absolutely no charge for this initial consultation.