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Criminal Injuries Compensation Amounts

Have you been an innocent victim of a violent crime or assault? Speak to our specialist criminal injury solicitors to find out if you’re eligible to make a no win, no fee claim.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Amounts

Have you been an innocent victim of a violent crime or assault? Speak to our specialist criminal injury solicitors to find out if you’re eligible to make a no win, no fee claim.

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How CICA Compensation Works

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government body that pays compensation to blameless victims of violent crime in England, Scotland and Wales. To be considered, there needs to be a crime of violence, reported to the police, and an application made within two years in most cases.

Unlike normal personal injury claims, CICA doesn’t negotiate figures based on what a court might award. Instead, it uses a fixed tariff of injuries set out in its scheme. Each eligible injury has a set compensation level.

CICA then looks at the evidence like medical records, your symptoms and how long they’ve lasted to decide which tariff applies and whether any additional payments might be considered.

Our criminal injuries team

At Express Solicitors we have a team of criminal injury solicitors who are experts in their field, working closely with CICA to secure you the compensation and justice you deserve.

Over the years, we’ve supported clients across the country in securing compensation through the CICA. We take the time to work closely with each client and their family, ensuring they receive the guidance and support needed to rebuild their lives.

Craig
Newton

Partner - Head of Criminal Injuries Compensation

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Claire
Reddicen

Associate Chartered Legal Executive

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Rebecca
Adjei

Trainee Solicitor

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Michael
Wharton

Solicitor

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Understanding the CICA tariff of injuries

The CICA tariff of injuries is an official list that assigns fixed compensation amounts to different types of harm. It covers a wide range of physical injuries, including fractures, scarring and certain long-term conditions. It also includes recognised payments for sexual offences and mental injuries, though these awards usually require a formal diagnosis from a qualified professional.

Each tariff band reflects the severity and lasting impact of the injury. The exact figures depend on the version of the scheme in force at the time, so all amounts must be checked carefully.

Finding out where your injury sits in the tariff is the first step in working out what CICA might consider.

Key points for making an injury claim

Single vs Multiple Injuries

If you have one eligible injury, CICA pays the fixed tariff amount assigned to that injury. Things work differently when you have several qualifying injuries. CICA applies what’s known as the three-injury rule, which combines awards in a set way:

  • 100% of the highest-valued injury
  • 30% of the second-highest
  • 15% of the third

Any additional injuries beyond the top three don’t receive separate awards, but they still help show the full extent of what you’ve been through.

Criminal injury payout examples

Every CICA award is based on the evidence, the tariff rules and the impact the crime has had on your life. The examples below show real cases we’ve helped successfully conclude since September 2025. They highlight the wide range of situations CICA can consider and the difference the right support can make to your recovery.

Sexual abuse

  • £250,000 awarded — A woman developed a disabling mental injury after historic childhood abuse. Her award reflected the seriousness of her condition and its long-term effect on her daily life.
  • £22,000 awarded — A woman diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following sexual abuse she experienced as a child. Her diagnosis and ongoing symptoms were key to the tariff level applied.

Domestic abuse

  • £182,941 awarded — A woman suffered psychological trauma and PTSD due to her partner’s sustained domestic abuse, including controlling and coercive behaviour. The award included payments for her mental injury and the long-term impact on her ability to work and live independently.

Sexual assault

  • £11,000 awarded — A woman was left with psychological trauma and depression after a sexual assault. CICA considered the nature of the offence alongside her diagnosed mental injury.

Physical assault

  • £169,885 awarded — A man suffered sight loss and a permanent mental injury after a liquid was thrown into his face. His award reflected both the severity of his physical harm and the lasting psychological effects.
  • £10,400 awarded — A man was punched outside a pub and struck his head on the curb, resulting in a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.
  • £21,450 awarded — A woman suffered burns to her back, neck and shoulders, along with permanent scarring, after being assaulted by arson.
  • £12,410 awarded — A man was hit by a bottle outside a nightclub, leaving him with multiple facial fractures.

PTSD and trauma

  • £130,750 awarded — A woman suffered the traumatic loss of her life-long partner to murder following an assault. She received a bereavement award along with future dependency payments to help provide long-term security.

Extra payments that can increase your award

Some people receive more than the basic tariff because CICA can award extra payments in certain situations.

Two areas make the biggest difference:

  • Loss of earnings — If your injuries leave you unable to work long-term, you may be able to claim loss of earnings. CICA uses a capped, standardised system rather than replacing your exact previous income, and the rules can be strict.
  • Special expenses — These cover essential, injury-related costs that you’ve had to pay, like care needs, mobility aids, equipment or home adaptations. You’ll usually need receipts or other evidence to show the expense was necessary and directly linked to the crime.

These payments depend on meeting scheme criteria, so early advice can be helpful.

Get the best legal team on your side

  • Over 1,000 years of combined legal expertise
  • Leading experts in Criminal Injury Compensation Authority claims
  • We’ll get you more compensation than anyone else
  • We win the cases other firms can’t
  • Fully independent, and fully regulated.
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What can reduce your compensation amount

CICA looks at a range of factors when deciding how much compensation to award. Some of these can reduce the amount you receive. Common examples include delays in reporting the incident, applying late without exceptional circumstances, or not cooperating fully with the police or CICA during the process.

CICA must also take account of unspent criminal convictions, which can lead to reductions or, in some cases, a refusal. Other compensation you’ve received for the same incident may also be deducted.

If you’re worried about any of these issues, don’t rule yourself out. You might still have options, and you can challenge decisions you believe are unfair through a review or appeal.

Are online compensation calculators accurate?

Online criminal injuries compensation calculators can be a helpful starting point, especially if you’re trying to understand the broad range of awards available. But they can only ever give a rough estimate. Calculators can’t assess your medical evidence, diagnose psychological injuries or apply the two-injury rule, all of which can make a big difference to your final award.

They also can’t factor in things like long-term work impact or special expenses. If you want clearer guidance, speaking to a solicitor can give you a more realistic picture based on your individual circumstances and the current CICA scheme.

Free Consultation

You can contact Express Solicitors for a free consultation with no obligation, where we will take the time to understand your claim and offer clear, helpful guidance on your next steps.

No-Win-No-Fee

We can assist you on a no win, no fee basis, so you will only need to pay us if your claim is successful and compensation is awarded.

Client Communication

If your case is accepted, our team of CICA Solicitors will handle the process on your behalf and keep you informed at every stage.

Real-life situations we can help with

CICA claims cover many different experiences, and we support clients through a wide range of situations with empathy and confidentiality. These include:

  • Assaults of all kinds
  • Domestic abuse, including violent, controlling or coercive behaviour
  • Sexual offences and non-consensual acts
  • PTSD or other trauma-related conditions
  • Injuries suffered while helping the police or trying to prevent a crime

Whatever has happened, you deserve clear guidance and compassionate support. We’re here to listen, explain your options and help you move forward safely and confidently.

What our clients say

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Get In Touch

You don’t need to understand every rule in the CICA tariff before asking for help. What matters is that you feel supported and know where to turn next. We take a calm, trauma-aware approach, guiding you through each step and helping you gather the evidence you need. Our no win, no fee funding means no upfront costs and you only pay if your claim succeeds. Terms and conditions apply.

Get in touch to speak to our friendly team for free, confidential advice about your CICA claim.

CICA claim FAQs

What is the minimum CICA award?

CICA has a minimum tariff level for the least severe eligible injuries. Exact figures depend on the Scheme in force and must be confirmed. Very minor injuries that don’t meet the tariff threshold may not qualify.

What is the maximum CICA award?

The maximum possible award can reach up to the Scheme cap when high-value losses, such as long-term loss of earnings or special expenses, apply. Specific amounts vary by Scheme and must be verified.

Can I claim compensation if the offender wasn’t caught?

CICA does not require a conviction. What matters is that the crime was reported to the police and there is enough evidence for CICA to decide what happened, even if no suspect was identified or charged.

Can I claim for mental injury like PTSD?

You might be able to claim for recognised psychological injuries such as PTSD if a qualified professional has diagnosed the condition and it has had a disabling impact for the period required under the Scheme. Evidence is essential.

How long do CICA claims take?

Timeframes vary. Some straightforward claims might conclude within a year or two, while more complex cases involving medical evidence or multiple injuries can take longer. There are no guaranteed timescales, as CICA depends on information from police and healthcare providers.

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