Yes. If you are acting on behalf of a person under the age of 18, or for an adult who lacks mental capacity; and you have legal or parental responsibility for that person, you can instruct us on their behalf to claim Criminal Injuries Compensation. Any payments made by the CICA to someone who is either a child, or lacks mental capacity will usually be paid in to a trust. We can also offer our services to assist you in the administration of a trust if required.

Yes. As long as the historical abuse has been reported to the police. We recognise that all acts of abuse affect individuals differently and therefore each person’s story is different. We are happy to speak with you to advise you personally on whether your claim will be successful. Please call our specialist Criminal Injury Lawyers on 0113 320 5000 and they will be able to advise you.

Yes. So long as you have required medical treatment for the same. The CICA would require you to have a diagnosis from a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist; if you don't have this yet but are receiving counselling or therapy, please call our specialist Criminal Injury Lawyers on 0113 320 5000 who will be able to advise you further. You can also use our Criminal Injuries Compensation Calculator to see how much your claim may be worth.

You can claim for PTSD if a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist have confirmed that it is disabling on a level where it affects you day to day, and that it is as a direct result of the crime.

Yes, you can make claims for sexual offences on a police evidence only basis. This means you can be compensated for the fact that the crime has happened, without having to disclose sensitive medical information.

Yes, if you have a confirmed diagnosis of a disabling mental injury as a direct result of the crime, and that diagnosis comes from either a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist.

Yes, so long as there is sufficient evidence that it was non-consensual. This is often made as part of a domestic violence claim, if there has also been physical injury.

It may be possible. It will depend on your individual circumstances, however just because the assailant is deceased does not mean you will not be eligible for compensation. Call our specialist Criminal Injury Lawyers on 0113 320 5000 and they will be able to advise you.

In some cases, yes. If you were a child at the time, reported the incident late, or had serious mental health problems, the CICA may extend the deadline. It depends on your circumstances and supporting evidence.

No, you don't. The CICA expect an application to be made as soon as reasonably possible. The burden of proof for the CICA is lesser than what is needed in court; therefore, providing the police have agreed to investigate your allegations; this should be sufficient to proceed with an application. The CICA apply a limitation of 2 years* from the date of reporting to make a claim for compensation; therefore, waiting for the outcome of a court hearing could sometimes jeopardise your position.

When asked by the police if you wish to press charges against your assailant, you must agree to do so to be able to claim compensation for your injuries. The CICA expect all applicants to act as far as reasonably practicable in bringing their assailant to justice, and therefore any reluctance to assist the police in securing a prosecution, may see your claim rejected by the CICA.

No, most claims for sexual offences can be settled without medical reports. Claims for physical injuries can be settled using your medical records from your own doctors.

Experience tells us that it is beneficial to the overall success of your claim, to instruct a solicitor at the very start. The CICA do not offer a solicitor to you and you are able to apply directly; however, without extensive knowledge of the scheme we see too often that applicants who have applied directly, face trouble and stumbling blocks along the way. By instructing Winston Solicitors you are receiving specialist advice from our Criminal Injury Lawyers, representation throughout your claim, including at Review and Appeal stage if required. We will ensure that you achieve the maximum award for your injuries, including loss of earnings and special expenses where applicable.

No. You should not wait for a criminal trial to end. The CICA deadline runs from the incident date, not the court outcome.

No, if the police investigation does not result in a conviction, or the alleged perpetrator is not convicted this does not necessarily mean you cannot claim compensation.

You can use our CICA time limit calculator online or contact us directly. We’ll check your dates and tell you straight away if you can still claim.

You can contact us through our contact form or call us on 0113 320 5000.

This will depend on the circumstances of your injury; however, as a general rule; you have 2 years from the date of the incident to submit an application*. If you are under the age of 18 (or were under the age of 18) when the matter was reported to the police, then you have 2 years from the date of your 18th Birthday. If the criminal injury occurred whilst you were under the age of 18, but the matter was reported to the police as an adult, you have two years from the date the matter was reported to the police.

*There are exceptional circumstances where these time limits can be waived.

There is no time limit in relation to the criminal prosecution of sexual offences. Criminal charges may and often are brought many years after the event. We would always encourage anyone who has suffered a sexual assault, particularly in rape cases, where there may be DNA evidence, to report the matter to the police immediately or as soon as they are able to.

Most claims take between 12 and 18 months. The timeline depends on the police report, medical evidence, and whether your injuries have stabilised.

The CICA offer awards between £1000 and £250,000 for injuries sustained as a result of a crime of violence. There is also an opportunity to claim up to an additional £250,000 in Loss of Earnings and Special Expenses, funeral expenses and Child Dependency payments. Use our Criminal Injuries Compensation Calculator to see how much your claim may be worth.

Rape awards are at the upper end of the tariff awards for sexual assaults. The actual award depends on whether it was a single incident and if several incidents over what period the assaults occurred. There can also be a higher award where the rape has caused a psychological injury and also an additional sum if you have had no or limited capacity for work because of the psychological injury.

The compensation for assault in the UK varies widely depending on the severity of the injuries. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) sets tariffs for different injuries, with awards ranging from a minimum of £1,000 to a maximum of £250,000. Factors such as the nature and extent of the injuries, and any lasting impact, are considered. For precise guidance and an assessment of your case, contact our experienced team at Winston Solicitors.

Compensation for domestic abuse claims depends on the frequency and severity of the assaults. The CICA provides awards based on the physical and psychological injuries sustained, with amounts varying accordingly. Typical awards can range from £1,000 to a maximum of £250,000. For detailed advice and to understand your potential compensation, reach out to our dedicated domestic abuse claim experts at Winston Solicitors.