criminal injury claims

Many innocent adults and children have their lives drastically affected or seriously disrupted as the victims of crimes of violence. Criminal Injuries Compensation Law is a specialist area of legal practice.

Compensation has been available through a state scheme to the victims of violent crime since 1964 but many people are unaware of the scheme or their rights.

• There is a two year time limit to claim (there are exceptions e.g. children)
• The crime must have been reported very promptly and you must have co-operated with the Police.
• It is not necessary for the perpetrator to have been caught.
• Compensation can be refused if you have caused or provoked the attack, or if you have a criminal record yourself.
• Minor injuries are excluded

An expert understanding is needed to ensure that the claim is processed promptly and efficiently and that challenges are made where and when appropriate. Many thousands of claims are refused by the CICA each year due to inadequate preparation by the applicant.

• Understand the necessary process for gathering evidence.
• Will present the claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in the correct manner
• Have an in depth knowledge of the workings of the scheme and the way in which the CICA will process it and deal with the application
• Have an established working relationship with the CICA
• Seek ways to enhance and improve the processing of CICA claims
• Have vital links with the outside bodies including the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, expert witnesses, care and support agencies and other services necessary to the progress of the claim.
• In the case of seriously injured claimants, we can make the arrangements for the introduction of specialist independent financial advice where it is needed, either during or at the end of the claim.

As a result of our experience we have been able to represent a large number of claimants successfully in the recovery of a range of awards. We have also been able to establish a working relationship with the CICA to seek ways to enhance and improve the processing of claims.

• Appointed members of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel
• Members of Headway, the association for head injured persons.
• Amongst the Founder Members of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
• We are an Investor in People and a Lexcel Law Society Practice Management Standards accredited firm.