CRIMINAL INJURY COMPENSATION BOARD - TARIFF

We are an independent claims service, with no connection to the CICA, representing clients who have been the victims of violent crime. We provide a no win no fee compensation service for applications to the Criminal Injury Compensation Board. This means that if your claim is unsuccessful for any reason, you will not pay us a single penny. Our claims are totally risk-free and you will not pay for any expenses including medical records, specialist’s reports or insurance during the course of the claims process. We are extremely client-centered and will provide vigorous and committed expert representation to ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries. To get free, no obligation advice, fill in the contact form or call the helpline. If after speaking to one of our specialist personal injury solicitors, you decide not to take matters any further then you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for the advice we provide.

In 1996, the Criminal Injury Compensation Board tariff scheme was introduced which was amended in 2001. This tariff scheme offered a way to accurately calculate the amount of compensation a claimant was due, based on certain qualifications. All applications made after 2001 would be awarded a fixed amount according to a scale set by Parliament which defines the maximum levels of compensation for each specific type of injury. All types of injury are assigned into set bands and there are 25 levels of compensation for injuries ranging up to £250,000 and additional compensation may be available up to a maximum of a further £250,000 for lost earnings or special expenses with a combined maximum amount payable of £500,000.

If there is a case which involves multiple injuries, only the three most serious injuries will be considered. The lesser of the three injuries suffered which are considered are discounted by a set rate, before all three amounts are added together to establish the total amount of the award as follows :-

• 100 % of the tariff scale value paid for the worst of the injuries
• 30 % of the tariff scale value for the next most serious injury
• 15 % of the tariff scale value for the least of the three injuries

If the resulting injury was fatal a fixed amount is payable to qualifying applicants. If only one person is entitled to claim the amount is set at £11,000 however if there is more than one qualifying claimant then each will receive £5,500. It may be possible for the person who paid funeral expenses to claim a reasonable sum even if that person does not fit into one of the qualifying categories. The Criminal Injury Compensation Board has discretion to make payment to any claimants who were financially dependent on the deceased who do fit into the qualifying categories which are outlined below :-

• the legal husband or wife of the deceased who was living with the deceased immediately before the date of death
• the former spouse of the deceased who was financially supported by the deceased immediately before the date of death may be eligible for a reduced amount of compensation for dependency
• the partner of the deceased who was living with the deceased and had been doing so for at least two years before death including same sex partners
• a parent or child including those who were not the natural parent or child but who were accepted as such by the deceased

The 2001 amendments brought in several changes regarding physical and sexual abuse, which can now attract a maximum award of £33,000 claimable even if the abuse took place over a prolonged period of time. The CICA may decide to pay one lump sum award rather than a series of small compensation payments for each individual offense. If the sexual abuse resulted in pregnancy or infection, additional compensation may also be awarded.