If you have been physically or mentally injured as the result of a violent crime then you may be able to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. A claim may also be possible where you have witnessed a loved one being injured because of criminal activity or where you or your loved one have been injured while trying to prevent a crime or assist in the capture of an offender.
It does not matter that no one has been prosecuted for the crime in question as long as there is proof that it occurred and provided you make your claim as soon as possible, and in any event within two years of the crime taking place.
Meaning of ‘violent crime’
To be the victim of a violent crime the injury suffered must have occurred as a result of:
- a physical attack;
- being subjected to threats of violence;
- sexual assault;
- arson; or (in Scotland willful fire-raising).
Eligibility criteria
To make a claim you need to meet certain eligibility criteria. For example, your injury must have been caused by a criminal act which happened in England, Scotland, Wales or another area designated by the government, such as on board a British controlled aircraft. You must also have a close connection to Great Britain, either because you or a close relative live here or because you fall within a group of people the government has agreed to compensate, such as citizens of the European Union.
For British citizens injured abroad as a result of terrorist activity a claim under a separate compensation scheme may be possible.
Compensation amount
The maximum amount of compensation that can be awarded by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for criminal injuries sustained in Great Britain is £500,000.
Compensation may be awarded for the injury itself and also for things like loss of earnings where you have had to take time off work. If a relative dies compensation can also be paid to cover funeral costs and to help support any dependents.
Help available
Drawing on many years of experience, the criminal injury lawyers at Hatten Wyatt Solicitors in Kent can help to assess whether a compensation claim may be possible and, where it is, complete the necessary paperwork on your behalf and deal with any subsequent negotiations to ensure you receive the maximum payment possible for the injuries and losses you have suffered.
Advising individuals throughout Kent and beyond
We have offices in Maidstone, Gravesend, Tonbridge, Chatham and Tenterden where we can meet you to discuss your requirements.
If the need arises, we can also offer meetings at your home or in hospital. Meetings via skype are also possible for clients who frequently need to travel abroad.
Funding
Most claims for compensation after a violent crime can be funded under a conditional fee agreement which means there will usually be no legal fees to pay unless your claim is successful.
For clients not eligible for conditional fee funding we can offer flexible payment terms to help you budget for the payment of legal fees. We can also offer an initial appointment to discuss your requirements at a fixed cost from £120 plus VAT.
Get in touch
If you need help to claim compensation for a criminal injury, please get in touch to see how we can assist. You can call us on 01474 351199 or use our contact form and we will call you.