The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) deals with the administration of compensation for criminal injury. If you have suffered an injury as the result of violence, you may be eligible to apply for criminal injury compensation.
Criminal injury covers both the physical and mental suffering which occurs as a result of violent crime. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority sets strict rules on who is eligible for compensation and your injuries must be of a certain severity to apply. Minor injuries are generally not eligible.
Compensation for Criminal Injury
If you are eligible to apply for criminal injury compensation you may need legal advice on how best to proceed.
The perpetrator of the crime does not need to have been caught or convicted in order for you to pursue a claim criminal injury compensation although you do need to claim for compensation within two years of the injury, in most cases.
The compensation you receive as a result of a criminal injury will vary depending on the severity of the injury you suffered, as physical injuries are graded according to their seriousness.
You may also be able to claim for any loss of earnings or special medical expenses incurred as a result of your injury.
How do I apply for Criminal Injury compensation?
If you think you qualify for criminal injury compensation, after reporting the crime to the police, you should submit an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. If you would prefer, a solicitor can handle the compensation claim for you.
Legal Advice Helpline can provide information on how to make a criminal injury compensation claim. Call our helpline on 0800 612 3042 for more information.