With domestic violence once again in the spotlight as the government announce their new 'Together we can end Violence against Women and Girls’ strategy, solicitors Lawson-West have discovered that only a small proportion of the victims of criminal violence realise that they may in fact be entitled to compensation via the government’s Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA).
In 2007, 142 people died in the UK in violent attacks, including 38 men, and there are thought to be thousands of abuse cases each year. CICA operates a tariff system, which pays compensation to victims of crimes of violence including unprovoked assault, rape, attempted rape, arson, fire-raising or poisoning. This includes domestic assault.
Personal Injury Partner Vicky Jones commented: “In our dealings with others within the legal profession, a picture has emerged that many people who are victims of criminal assault for example domestic violence are failing to make claims for compensation via CICA, because they are not aware that they are eligible to do so.” Compensation is available for injuries sustained, but also for subsequent loss of earnings if you are prevented from working for more than 28 weeks after the incident, and in some cases for special expenses such as the cost of care or adaptations to your home required as a result of the injuries sustained. CICA can also compensate those who have lost a husband, wife, parent, child or partner as a result of violent crime. Vicky continued: “Under such difficult circumstances, a compensation award could make a huge difference and we’d urge anyone who has been injured in this way to get in touch so we can help them bring a claim.”
