1st April 2026 will see the 30th anniversary of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in Great Britain without the maximum award for the most catastrophic injuries having been raised, even to take account of inflation.
In 1996 the then government introduced tariff-based schemes with an upper limit on the compensation that can be awarded in a cost saving exercise. This was in comparison with the earlier schemes where there were no limits. Innocent injured victims of crime whose lives had been changed beyond recognition could previously receive awards which would help them to cope with the consequences.
Since 1996 the Scheme maximum of £500,000 has meant that survivors of catastrophic brain injury, spinal cord injury and those suffering serious damage to their mental health through abuse and sexual violence have to manage for the rest of their lives, sometimes for as long as 70 years on a limited amount to cope with their severe needs. Over that period, the increase would have been 103%, taking the award to £1,016.892 according to the Bank of England inflation calculator.
Craig, now 50 from North Wales was assaulted through “one punch syndrome” in 2021. He suffered subarachnoid and subdural haemorrhages and a left frontal intracranial bleed. He requires 24/7 care for life, being unable to feed himself or to move independently, to wash or dress or to take his own medication and he is catheterised.
Alan, was 3 months old in 2015 when he was shaken violently by one of his parents in Sheffield and he suffered a subdural haematoma by shaking (shaken baby syndrome). He was subsequently adopted by a remarkably caring family who have adopted seven children with special needs in total. Alan has problems with mobility, feeding and behaviours as a consequence of his acquired brain injury. He needs input from occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and physiotherapy. He struggles to sleep and has to be PEG fed during the night.
After criticism and review the government uprated the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme to provide a maximum lump sum of £650,000 together with lifelong, tax free guaranteed income payments which are increased to take account of inflation.
The government has confirmed that no changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme are contemplated, either in relation to the maximum award, nor to take account of the strong recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.
For more information contact Neil Sugarman, Consultant with GLP Solicitors, Past President of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and former delegate to the CICA’s Stakeholder and Equality Forum, writer, author and trainer on the Scheme – ns@glplaw.com or call 07711 432108