Types of criminal injury claims
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.
Types of criminal injury claims
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.
What is a criminal injury claim?
A criminal injury is any physical or psychological harm caused by a violent crime. A criminal injury claim is the process of seeking compensation for that harm. In England, Scotland and Wales, many people apply through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), which is the government scheme for victims of violent crime.
Your eligibility will depend on the type of crime involved and the injury you experienced. This information is general guidance, not legal advice, as every situation is different. In some cases, it may also be possible to make a civil claim against an individual or organisation.
Other violent crimes
Other violent crimes such as violent robbery, group attacks or certain crime-related incidents in public places may also lead to a claim. This list isn’t exhaustive. If you’ve been harmed by a crime of violence, you may still be eligible to seek compensation.
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
Claire
Reddicen
Associate Chartered Legal Executive
Michael
Wharton
Solicitor
Rebecca
Adjei
Trainee Solicitor
Physical, psychological and abuse-related injuries you can claim for
Criminal injury claims are shaped by both the type of crime and the harm you’ve experienced. That harm might be physical, psychological or linked to abuse. Below are some of the main injury categories recognised in criminal injuries compensation schemes, including CICA.
Physical injuries
Physical injuries can include fractures, head injuries, scarring, internal injuries and long-term pain. Medical evidence is important, as it helps show the extent of what you’ve been through and how it affects your daily life. Claims can cover both the immediate impact and ongoing physical effects.
Psychological injuries
Psychological injury after assault is common and can include PTSD, anxiety, depression and trauma-related symptoms. Many people ask, “Can I claim if my injury is mainly psychological?” The answer is that CICA might recognise psychological harm if it has been properly diagnosed by a relevant medical professional. You don’t need visible injuries for your experience to be valid.
Sexual and physical abuse-related harm
Long-term trauma linked to sexual or physical abuse can affect every part of your life. This can include historic abuse, where speaking up or gathering evidence may feel overwhelming. Eligibility depends on the scheme rules and your circumstances, but you can always talk to a specialist in confidence to understand your options.
Fatal criminal injury and bereavement
If a loved one has died as a result of a violent crime, certain relatives may be able to claim for bereavement or specific financial losses. These claims are handled sensitively and depend on factors such as your relationship to the person and the evidence available.
Who Might Be Able to Claim
CICA can compensate a range of people affected by violent crime, including:
- Direct victims of violent crime.
- Certain close relatives of someone who has died due to a crime of violence.
- People who witnessed the incident or its immediate aftermath and developed a qualifying psychological injury.
- People who paid funeral costs in fatal cases.
If you’re unsure whether you fit these categories, it’s still worth seeking professional legal advice.
What our clients say
Who can make a criminal injury claim?
You don’t have to be the direct victim of a violent crime to be eligible for criminal injuries compensation. Several groups of people may be able to claim, depending on the circumstances. These are the main categories:
Direct victims of violent crime
If you were physically or psychologically harmed by a violent crime, you may be able to claim compensation. This includes injuries linked to assaults, domestic abuse, sexual offences and other violent incidents.
People injured while helping to prevent a crime or assist police
You may also be eligible if you were hurt while trying to stop a crime, protect someone or help the police. CICA recognises the risks people take when they act in good faith to help others.
Witnesses or those present at the incident
Witnesses are often affected more deeply than they expect. You may be able to claim if you experienced psychological harm after seeing or being present during a violent crime. This can include trauma from witnessing an attack, even if you were not physically injured.
Relatives after a fatal criminal injury
Certain relatives may be able to claim after losing a loved one to a violent crime. This can include bereavement payments or support with specific financial losses. Eligibility varies, and talking to a specialist can help you understand what applies in your situation.
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.
CICA time limits – how long do you have to claim?
Understanding the time limits is one of the most important parts of a CICA claim. The rules can feel strict, but they aren’t always as straightforward as they first appear:
Standard CICA time limit for adults
The general rule is you usually need to apply within two years of the incident. In some abuse cases involving minors, the two-year period might start from the date the crime was first reported to the police, rather than when it happened. If you’re nearing the deadline or unsure when your two-year window began, try to get advice and apply as soon as you can.
CICA time limits for children and under-18s
For children, the rules work differently:
- If the crime was reported to the police while the child was under 18, a claim usually needs to be made before their 20th birthday.
- If the crime was not reported until after they turned 18, the standard rule applies: two years from the date of the first police report.
Parents or guardians can often make a claim on a child’s behalf. If there has been a long delay or complicated circumstances, the exceptional circumstances test may be applied.
How far back can you claim CICA for historic abuse?
There is no fixed cut-off year for historic abuse. However, CICA still requires:
- The abuse to have been reported to the police, and
- The claim to be made within two years of that first police report, unless exceptional circumstances justify a late claim.
The removal of the old “same roof rule” now allows some people who were abused before 1979 by someone living in the same household to claim when they previously could not.
Common worries about CICA eligibility and time limits
CICA claims and other routes to compensation
Many criminal injury claims are made through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), which is the government scheme for people harmed by violent crime. This process is separate from making a civil claim against an offender or another party who may be responsible.
CICA eligibility depends on factors such as the type of crime, the injury you suffered and the evidence available. Because every situation is different, speaking to a specialist can help you understand which route is most appropriate for you.
CICA claim FAQs
Can I claim criminal injuries compensation for psychological injury only? 
Can I claim if the offender hasn’t been caught or convicted?
How long do I have to make a criminal injury claim?
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