Reviewed by Leanne Henton, Solicitor & Head of Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Claims at NJS Law · Last reviewed July 2026 · England & Wales
If you've been injured as the victim of a violent crime, you may be able to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) — even if the attacker was never caught or convicted. You usually have two years from the date of the incident to apply, the crime must normally have been reported to the police, and awards are based on a fixed tariff of injuries. We can guide you through the process on a no win, no fee basis.
Being the victim of a violent crime can affect every part of your life — physically, emotionally and financially. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme exists to recognise that harm and provide a measure of financial support, separately from the criminal justice process. A CICA claim is not about suing the attacker; it is a government scheme that compensates blameless victims of violent crime in Great Britain. This guide explains how CICA claims work in England & Wales, who can claim, the time limits, and how compensation is assessed.
Related services: Criminal Injuries Compensation · Physical Injuries · Psychological Injuries · Domestic Abuse Injuries · Sexual Abuse & Rape Injuries
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government body that administers a statutory scheme to compensate people who have been physically or psychologically injured as the victim of a violent crime. Unlike most personal injury claims, a CICA claim is made against the scheme — not against the offender — so you can still claim even where:
The scheme covers a wide range of violent crimes, including physical assault, wounding, sexual abuse and rape, domestic abuse, child abuse, and incidents resulting in serious or fatal injury. It can also cover recognised psychological injuries caused by a crime of violence.
To be eligible under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, you generally need to meet the following conditions:
You were a victim of a crime of violence in England, Scotland or Wales (or in certain other circumstances covered by the scheme).
You reported the crime to the police as soon as reasonably practicable. Reporting is a key requirement — the CICA needs evidence that the incident was treated as a crime.
You cooperated with the police and the criminal justice process as far as you were able.
Your own conduct, character or criminal record does not, in the CICA's view, make an award inappropriate.
You do not need the offender to have been convicted — or even identified — to make a claim. Claims can also be made by close relatives or dependants where a person has died as a result of a crime of violence. Special rules apply to victims of childhood abuse and domestic abuse, where the usual time limits are often applied more flexibly.
Your wellbeing and safety come first. Reporting the crime to the police as soon as reasonably possible is essential — it creates the official record the CICA relies on, and you will usually be given a crime reference number. Seeking medical attention also documents your injuries, which becomes important evidence for the claim.
Before applying, it's important to confirm you meet the scheme's requirements and that you are within the time limit (usually two years from the incident, with exceptions — see below). We can assess your eligibility, explain how your circumstances fit the scheme, and identify any factors that might affect an award.
The application sets out what happened, the injuries suffered, and the impact on your life, supported by police references, medical records and any other relevant evidence. We help gather and present this evidence clearly, so the CICA has everything it needs to assess the claim fairly. You are not expected to navigate the paperwork or relive the trauma alone.
The CICA reviews the application against the scheme rules and the tariff of injuries, obtaining police and medical information as needed. It then issues a decision setting out whether an award is made and how much. More complex cases — particularly those involving serious injury, loss of earnings or care needs — can take longer to assess.
If you disagree with the CICA's decision, you can ask for a review, and if still dissatisfied, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Many decisions are improved on review or appeal where further evidence or argument is provided. We can advise on the prospects and handle the process on your behalf.
CICA time limits are different — and shorter — than ordinary personal injury claims. As a general rule, an application must be made within two years of the date of the incident, not three. The CICA does have discretion to accept late applications, but only in limited circumstances, so it is important to seek advice promptly. Key exceptions include:
Not sure whether you're still within the CICA time limit? It is free to check — with no obligation.
Check my time limitFor more detail, see our guide to CICA time limits, exceptions and extensions.
CICA compensation works differently from a negligence claim. The amount for the injury itself is set by a fixed tariff in the scheme, which lists injuries and a corresponding payment. This means awards are more standardised than court-based personal injury claims. A CICA award may include:
| Example injury | Category | Indicative tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Sprain / minor soft tissue (lasting effects) | Minor physical | £1,000 – £2,400 |
| Fractured nose / cheekbone | Facial | £1,500 – £3,500 |
| Loss of teeth | Dental | £1,000 – £3,500 |
| Disabling mental injury (6–28 weeks+) | Psychological | £1,000 – £13,500 |
| Permanently disabling mental injury | Psychological | £22,000 – £27,000 |
| Sexual assault / abuse | Sexual offences | £1,000 – £44,000 |
| Serious brain damage | Most serious | £175,000 – £250,000+ |
Figures are indicative examples of the CICA tariff and are for general guidance only — they are not a quote. The exact award depends on the scheme tariff in force, the specific injury, and the circumstances of the case. The current scheme caps the total award at £500,000.
Want to understand what your CICA claim could be worth? Our team can give you a free, no-obligation assessment.
Get a free assessmentTimescales vary. Straightforward claims may be decided within around 12 to 18 months, but more complex cases — particularly those involving serious injury, ongoing treatment, loss of earnings, or where the CICA must wait for medical evidence or the outcome of a criminal case — can take longer. We keep you updated throughout and chase the CICA where appropriate to keep matters moving.
The CICA does not pay legal costs, and you can apply yourself for free. However, many people find the process daunting, especially when reliving a traumatic event, and value having a specialist handle it. We can act on a no win, no fee basis — explaining clearly, before you proceed, how our fees work and what deduction (if any) would apply from a successful award, so there are no surprises. Read how no win, no fee works.
CICA claims are sensitive. Many of our clients are coming to terms with a traumatic experience and need to be handled with care, patience and discretion. We take time to understand what happened, gather and present the evidence properly, deal with the CICA on your behalf, and advise honestly on reviews and appeals where a decision falls short. Our aim is to take the weight of the process off your shoulders so you can focus on your recovery. More reasons to choose NJS Law.
Contacting NJS Law does not commit you to a claim. We'll listen in confidence, explain how the CICA scheme applies, and tell you honestly whether we can help — free and with no obligation.
Start my free claim check → or call free on 0800 6525 656 · No win, no fee on eligible claims (subject to terms)Yes. A CICA claim is made against the government scheme, not the offender, so you can claim even where the attacker was never identified, caught or convicted — provided the crime was reported to the police and you meet the scheme's other requirements.
Yes, in almost all cases. Reporting the crime to the police as soon as reasonably practicable is a key requirement of the scheme, because the CICA needs evidence that the incident was treated as a crime. A failure to report can affect or prevent an award.
Usually two years from the date of the incident — shorter than the three-year limit for most personal injury claims. The CICA can extend time in limited circumstances, particularly for child victims and survivors of childhood or domestic abuse. Seek advice promptly if you are unsure.
Yes. The scheme covers recognised psychological injuries — such as PTSD, anxiety and depression — caused by a crime of violence, supported by appropriate medical evidence, even where there was no significant physical injury.
It can. The CICA can reduce or refuse an award where the applicant has unspent criminal convictions, or where their conduct or character makes a full award inappropriate. Each case is assessed on its facts, and we can advise on how this might affect you.
You can ask the CICA to review the decision, and if you remain dissatisfied, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Many decisions improve on review or appeal where further evidence or argument is provided. We can advise on prospects and handle the process for you.
Explore specific topics in detail — part of our complete criminal injuries resource.
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