If you’ve been injured as the victim of a violent crime that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to criminal injuries compensation — even if the person who hurt you was never caught or convicted. This is a government-run scheme, and it exists precisely because you shouldn’t be left to carry the physical, emotional and financial cost of someone else’s crime alone.
This guide explains, in plain English, what a CICA claim is, who can claim, how much you might receive, the all-important time limit, and how a solicitor can help you get the right award.
What Is Criminal Injuries Compensation (CICA)?
Criminal injuries compensation is paid through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), a government body that compensates blameless victims of violent crime in England, Scotland and Wales under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. (Northern Ireland runs a separate scheme.)
Crucially, the money doesn’t come from the offender — it comes from the government scheme. That means you can still be compensated even if your attacker was never identified, arrested or brought to court.
Who Can Make a CICA Claim?
You can usually claim if you were injured as a direct result of a violent crime. To be eligible you generally need to show that:
- you were the victim of a crime of violence — for example a physical assault, wounding, sexual assault or abuse;
- the incident was reported to the police as soon as it was reasonably practicable to do so;
- you cooperate fully with the police and with the CICA in bringing the person responsible to justice; and
- you were not responsible for what happened to you.
You may be able to claim as the direct victim, as a witness who suffered a mental injury, or as a close relative in the tragic event of a death. Survivors of physical or sexual abuse, including historic childhood abuse, can also claim — the scheme recognises that these injuries are often reported many years later.
What Can You Claim Compensation For?
A CICA award can cover more than the injury itself:
- A personal injury payment for the physical or mental injury you suffered, based on the scheme’s fixed tariff of injuries.
- Loss of earnings if your injuries keep you off work for a prolonged period (the scheme has strict rules on when this applies).
- Special expenses for costs such as care, adaptations, NHS treatment charges or damaged medical aids in more serious cases.
- Payments to bereaved relatives, including a bereavement payment, loss of parental services and dependency, where a loved one has died as a result of a crime.
You can read more about the different situations we help with on our criminal injury claims page, including physical and abuse claims.
How Much Compensation Will I Get?
Unlike an ordinary personal injury claim, criminal injuries compensation is tariff-based: the scheme sets a fixed amount for each type of injury rather than valuing each case individually. Awards for the injury itself broadly range from around £1,000 for less serious injuries up to £500,000 for the most catastrophic, with additional payments for loss of earnings and special expenses in the most serious cases.
Where you have more than one injury, the scheme normally pays the full tariff amount for the most serious, with reduced percentages for others. Because the rules are detailed and the tariff is applied strictly, it’s easy to be under-awarded — which is one of the main reasons people ask a solicitor to check or challenge a CICA decision.
Is There a Time Limit for CICA Claims?
Yes — and it’s tighter than for most injury claims. As a general rule you must apply within two years of the incident. This is different from the usual three-year limit for personal injury claims, so it’s important not to delay.
There are important exceptions. For victims who were children at the time, or survivors of childhood abuse, the time limit works differently and a claim can often still be made many years later. The CICA can also extend the deadline where it was not reasonable to expect you to claim sooner — for example due to the psychological impact of what happened.
How to Make a Criminal Injuries Compensation Claim
- Report the crime to the police and keep a note of the crime reference number.
- Get medical help and make sure your injuries — physical and psychological — are recorded.
- Gather evidence, including any details of the incident, witnesses and the impact it has had on your life and work.
- Apply to the CICA within the time limit — a solicitor can prepare and submit the application, deal with the CICA on your behalf, and make sure nothing is missed.
- Challenge a low or refused award if needed, through the scheme’s review process and, if necessary, an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.
You don’t have to wait for a criminal trial to finish, and you don’t need a conviction — but your claim can be affected by things like unspent criminal convictions of your own, or a failure to cooperate with the police, so honest, well-prepared applications matter.
How a Solicitor Can Help
You can apply to the CICA yourself, but the scheme is technical and awards are often lower than they should be. A specialist solicitor can make sure your injuries are correctly categorised under the tariff, that loss of earnings and special expenses are properly claimed, and that a poor decision is challenged. If you’ve been through something traumatic, having someone handle the process for you can also take a real weight off your shoulders. Support is also available from organisations such as Victim Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim criminal injuries compensation if no one was convicted?
Yes. CICA compensation is paid by a government scheme, not by the offender, so you can claim even if nobody was caught, charged or convicted — provided you reported the crime to the police and cooperated with them.
How much compensation can I get for an assault?
It depends on your injuries. The CICA uses a fixed tariff, with awards for the injury broadly ranging from around £1,000 to £500,000, plus loss of earnings and special expenses in more serious cases.
What is the time limit for a CICA claim?
Generally two years from the date of the incident, which is shorter than the usual three-year injury limit. Different rules apply to children and survivors of childhood abuse, and the deadline can sometimes be extended.
Can I claim for historic childhood abuse?
Yes. The scheme recognises that abuse is often disclosed years later, and survivors of historic childhood abuse can usually still make a claim. A solicitor can advise on how the time limits apply to your situation.
Does it cost anything to get help with a claim?
Speak to us for free, confidential, no-obligation advice about your situation and how we can help with your CICA application.
Speak to a Criminal Injury Solicitor
Being the victim of a violent crime is something no one should have to face, and claiming the compensation you’re entitled to can be an important part of moving forward. Din Solicitors helps victims across England & Wales with sensitive, straightforward support. Learn more about criminal injury compensation claims, or start your claim today — or call 01422 647175 for a free, confidential chat.
This article is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation. Din Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 8008984). Last reviewed: July 2026.