CRIMINAL INJURY BOARD - CICB

No Win No Fee Compensation Claims

We provide no win no fee representation to victims of violent crime who are making applications to the Criminal Injury Compensation Board (CICB). Under our no win no fee scheme, you pay nothing if your claim is rejected for any reason. There are no upfront costs and you do not have to cover any expenses in processing the claim such as medical records or reports from specialists.

Criminal Injuries Board

We are an independent claims service that represents innocent victims of violent crime who deserve to receive the maximum compensation available to them. Our focus remains always on our clients. We provide victims with free legal advice about their potential Criminal Injury Board compensation claim. To discuss your case with one of our specialist solicitors just complete the contact form or phone our helpline. If you decide not to take any further action there is no charge for the initial consultation.

Criminal Injuries Board Tariff Scheme

The current Criminal Injury Compensation Board tariff scheme was first introduced in 1996 and amended in 2001. The tariff scheme was enacted to give the CICB an objective means of calculating the amount of damages a victim is due. Parliament put in place a scale that fixed the amount of compensation that is awarded for a specific injury.

CICB Compensation Bands & Maximum Payment Levels

Numerous different types of injuries are included in the scheme and each is assigned to a band. In total, there are 25 separate compensation levels, with the highest amount being £250,000. The Criminal Injury Board also has the authority to reward additional compensation for special expenses or lost wages up to a cap of £250,000. Thus, a successful applicant may be awarded a maximum of £500,000.

Criminal Compensation Board Awards for Multiple Injuries

Victims of violent crime often suffer numerous injuries. Where multiple injuries are involved, the three most serious injuries are used for determining the amount of compensation awarded by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. The value of each of the three injuries is not simply added together. The rate assigned to the second and third worst injuries are discounted at a set percentage of 15% and 30% respectively before the value of each of the 3 individual items is added together.

Fatal Injury Awards by the CICB

If the victim died as a result of their injuries, then certain qualifying individuals can claim a fixed amount of compensation from the Criminal Injury Board. Under the current scheme, the amount is £11,000 if only one individual qualifies to receive the compensation. If there are two or more individuals who qualify, then each person receives £5,500. It is usually possible for the individual who paid the funeral costs to claim compensation by way of reimbursement, even if that individual would not ordinarily be a qualifying applicant.

Below is a list of the categories of individuals qualified to claim compensation when the victim's injuries are fatal. Note that the Criminal Injury Compensation Board can, at its own discretion, award compensation to a claimant who was financially dependent on the victim, even though the claimant does not fit into one of these categories :-

• the legal spouse of the deceased victim, if living with the deceased immediately prior to the date of death
• the former spouse of the deceased victim, if receiving financial support from the deceased immediately prior to the date of death; former spouses are eligible for a reduced amount of compensation
• the partner of the deceased victim, if living with the deceased immediately prior to the date of death and for a minimum of two years; includes same sex partners
• a parent or child of the deceased victim, including individuals accepted by the deceased as a parent or child even if they were not a natural relation

Sexual Abuse Claims

Some of the most important changes brought about by the 2001 amendments are those related to physical and sexual abuse. Abuse victims can now claim a maximum award of £33,000, which can be claimed by the victim even if the abuse took place over an extended period of time. It is up to the CICB to decide whether to pay the award as a lump sum or as a series of smaller payments, with each payment being attributed to a separate offence. If the sexual abuse left the victim either pregnant or infected, the CICB may award additional compensation.