If you’ve been researching how to sue for criminal injury compensation, you may have been left with more questions than answers. After all, it’s not always easy to know where to begin or what your options truly are. Our advisors and panel of solicitors have seen this firsthand, so we’ve created this guide to walk readers through the process of claiming via the government-funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Important Takeaways
- For the year ending March 2025, the police in England and Wales recorded 520,071 offences of violence resulting in injury
- Criminal injury claims cover a range of violent incidents, including physical and sexual assault
- You can make a CICA claim even if the perpetrator was never caught or convicted
- A solicitor from our panel can support you throughout the CICA claims process
If you are interested in making a claim, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of advisors. They are also available to help with any general enquiries you may have and advise you on the next steps with the utmost sensitivity. You can contact them via the following methods:
- Complete our online submission form
- Call on 0800 408 7827
- Use the live chat pop-up in the corner
Jump To A Section
- How to Sue For Criminal Injury Compensation Through The CICA
- How Much You Could Sue For After A Criminal Injury?
- Examples Of Assault And Abuse Covered By The CICA
- What Criminal Injuries Could I Claim Compensation For?
- How Do You Claim Through The CICA?
- What Evidence Do I Need To Sue For A Criminal Injury?
- How To Sue For A Criminal Injury With A No Win No Fee Solicitor
- More Information
How to Sue For Criminal Injury Compensation Through The CICA
When considering how to sue for criminal injury compensation, you must establish that you have been the victim of a crime in Great Britain. That is because the CICA applies the following eligibility criteria to potential claims:
- You were the victim of a violent crime (this includes sexual assault, physical assault, arson, and violent threats)
- The crime occurred in England, Wales, Scotland, or another applicable place (such as a boat registered to the UK)
- You reported the incident to the police
- Your claim is being submitted no later than 2 years after the incident (though exceptional circumstances may be considered)
If you’re not sure whether you meet the criteria, don’t worry. You can speak to an advisor at any time for a completely free and confidential assessment of your case.
How Much You Could Sue For After A Criminal Injury?
For a criminal injury, how much you could sue for will be calculated on the basis of a set tariff taken from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. That ensures payouts will reflect the nature and severity of a claimant’s injuries. These amounts do not vary, so compensation for specific injuries will always be the same, regardless of the case.
The CICA can compensate you for a maximum of 3 injuries, valued according to the following formula:
- 100% of the highest value injury will be awarded
- 30% of the amount for the second-highest-value injury
- 15% of the compensation for the third-highest valued injury
However, you may be further compensated if you became pregnant as a result of the violent crime, lost the fetus, or contracted a sexually transmitted infection.
Below, you’ll find rows using data sourced from the CICA’s tariff. The top figure is the maximum amount that the CICA can payout for a successful claim.
| Type of Harm | Severity | Compensation Tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple types of severe harm with special expenses, such as the cost of care | Severe | Up to £500,000 |
| Brain damage | Very serious brain injury with severe physical limitation | £175,000 |
| Eye | Loss of sight in both eyes | £110,000 |
| Loss of 1 eye | £27,000 | |
| Arm | Loss of both arms | £110,000 |
| Leg | Loss of both legs (below or above knee | £110,000 |
| Hand | Loss of, or equivalent loss of function of both hands | £110,000 |
| Finger/Thumb | Loss of both thumbs | £55,000 |
| Kidney | Serious, permanent damage to or the loss of both kidneys (or only functioning one) | £55,000 |
| Non-consensual penile penetration of vagina, anus or mouth | Causing serious internal bodily injury with severe, permanent disabling mental illness | £44,000 |
| Tongue | Loss of tongue | £44,000 |
| Sexual assault | Causing severe, permanently disabling mental illness | £27,000 |
| Chest | Resulting in thoracotomy involving removal or extensive repair of 1 or more organs | £16,500 |
| Tinnitus | Permanent and very severe | £16,500 |
| Ankle | Both ankles fractured or dislocated, with continuing significant disability | £16,500 |
| Face | Multiple facial fractures (such as types 2 & 3 Le Fort fractures) | £11,000 |
| Neck | Permanent and seriously disabling whiplash or strained neck injury | £11,000 |
| Burns to upper limbs | Severe | £11,000 |
| Back | Ruptured invertebral discs that require surgical removal | £11,000 |
How Will The CICA Determine Your Settlement And Make An Offer?
The CICA will determine your settlement and make an offer by reviewing available evidence, assessing your injuries, and determining whether you have also suffered any financial losses. This impact is referred to as special expenses, and may include:
- The cost of professional care needed to perform bodily functions or the preparation of food
- Payments to make the home suitable for your injuries (examples of adaptations include a stairlift or handrails)
- The replacement of equipment that you relied on to aid you physically, which was damaged during the crime
- Supervision costs (if required to protect yourself and others from any danger you may pose)
- The expense of equipment required to live with your injuries (such as specialist kitchen equipment or an adapted vehicle)
- Administrative costs required to help manage affairs due to a lack of mental capacity
These losses must be reasonable, not freely available elsewhere, and necessary. Additionally, the CICA may compensate lost earnings if certain requirements are satisfied.
You can speak with an advisor today to learn more about how to sue for criminal injury compensation and what factors may influence a potential payout.
Examples Of Assault And Abuse Covered By The CICA
Some examples of assault and abuse covered by the CICA include:
- Grievous bodily harm
- Actual bodily harm
- Attacks involving knives or other weapons
- Sexual assault and rape
- Domestic abuse
- Arson
- Threats of violence
- Murder
- Violent robbery
You may also have experienced assault or abuse at work, which can provide valid grounds for a CICA claim. Speak to our advisors today to find out how to sue for criminal injury compensation and whether your case meets the eligibility criteria that are in place.
What Criminal Injuries Could I Claim Compensation For?
You may be able to claim compensation for various criminal injuries, such as:
- Broken bones
- Facial and bodily scarring
- Internal bleeding
- Concussion
- Sprains and strains
- Paralysis
- Psychological conditions, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
There are many other types of injury that we have not listed, so please get in touch with our advisory team to discuss your specific experience.
How Do You Claim Through The CICA?
To claim through the CICA, you or your solicitor must submit an application via the government’s online portal. Generally, the CICA aims to reach a decision on cases within 12 months, but the organisation does note that the process can sometimes take longer. If this applies to your case, then the CICA will be in contact with an update.
How Long Is The CICA Claim Time Limit?
The CICA claim time limit is typically 2 years, starting from the date of the violent crime. However, the CICA will consider any exceptional circumstances that may have prevented you from filing your claim within this window.
When a criminal injury claim involves a child under the age of 18, the time limit works a little differently:
- Minors who made a police report at the time of the crime have 2 years from their 18th birthday to start a claim
- If the crime wasn’t reported, then the claimant will have 2 years to submit their application from the date they made a police report. They will also require proof showing why a claim is being filed outside of the standard 2-year windows.
Do I Need A Solicitor To Claim Via The CICA?
You don’t need a solicitor to claim via the CICA, but there are plenty of benefits to being represented by someone who is well-versed in criminal injury compensation. Our panel of solicitors, in particular, provide a compassionate service that ensures every client feels heard, supported, and understood. That includes:
- Explaining what evidence is required for your case and helping with gathering the proof
- Handling correspondence with the CICA on your behalf
- Ensuring that your claim is begun within the CICA’s specified time limit
- Offering empathetic, tailored support throughout the process
- Contesting the CICA’s decision if you do not agree with its conclusions
Solicitors are experts in criminal injury law and know how to navigate the process efficiently. They work to make the process easier for eligible claimants. You are welcome to contact our team of advisors to ask how to sue for criminal injury compensation with a solicitor.
What Evidence Do I Need To Sue For A Criminal Injury?
The evidence you will need to sue for a criminal injury includes medical records as well as proof that you meet the CICA’s eligibility criteria. This evidence includes:
- A police reference number: This confirms the crime was reported and allows the CICA to request further information if necessary
- Medical records: Confirms you sustained qualifying criminal injuries and shows their extent
- Residency requirements: This involves establishing that you were ordinarily resident in the UK at the time that you suffered your criminal injuries
- Financial documents supporting any claim for special expenses or a loss of earnings
Do I Need A Medical Assessment Of My Criminal Injuries?
You may need a medical assessment of your criminal injuries if the CICA believes they are complex, or if you are seeking compensation for psychological harm. However, this will not be arranged without your prior consent.
If you have any questions about how to sue for criminal injury compensation and what evidence is required, please contact our team of advisors today. They may be able to connect you to an expert solicitor from our panel who can guide you through the whole process.
How To Sue For A Criminal Injury With A No Win No Fee Solicitor
To sue for a criminal injury with a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel, you will need to reach out for a free, no-obligation consultation with an advisor. If you’re eligible, one of the solicitors from our panel can offer a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) that will protect you from paying a service fee:
- Before the beginning of your criminal injury claim
- While the case is proceeding
- If you are not compensated
However, on the condition that you do gain compensation, you will need to pay a success fee. This is a percentage of the compensation that you pay to your solicitor, but there is a legally binding cap in place to ensure you keep the bulk of it.
Contact How To Sue’s Advisors
If you have any queries about claiming criminal injury compensation, contact How To Sue’s advisors today. They understand that making a claim is never taken lightly and will handle your enquiry with the sensitivity it deserves. There will be no pressure to start a claim, though if you would like to be connected with a solicitor from our panel, they may be able to facilitate this:
- Complete our online submission form
- Call on 0800 408 7827
- Use the live chat pop-up in the corner
More Information
Read our other criminal injuries guides below:
Some external links:
- Visit the government webpage on reporting crimes
- Government guidance on support resources for victims of crime
- Find out whether you may be eligible to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Thank you for reading this guide on how to sue for criminal injury compensation.