Last Updated 21st October 2024. This guide will explain how to claim domestic violence compensation. If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you may be eligible to claim compensation for any physical and mental injuries you have endured.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) administers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, which compensates for domestic violence, and other types of criminal injuries, to those who have suffered mental or physical injuries following a crime of violence.
As part of a CICA claim, they’ll also award compensation to cover special expenses. However, in order to be eligible for domestic violence compensation, you’ll need to meet certain requirements. Continue reading to find out more. The CICA can award compensation to domestic violence victims in England, Scotland and Wales.
A solicitor from our panel may be able to help you claim compensation for your injuries. If you speak with one of our advisors and they feel you have a valid claim, they may be able to connect you with a criminal injury lawyer who can represent you.
To begin your claim, you can:
- Call us on 0800 408 7825
- Contact us in writing
- Use the live chat feature on this screen
Select A Section
- Could You Claim Domestic Violence Compensation?
- Types Of Domestic Abuse
- How Much Compensation For Domestic Violence?
- Get Help And Support For Domestic Violence Compensation With A No Win No Fee Solicitor
Could You Claim Domestic Violence Compensation?
In order to make a domestic violence compensation claim through the CICA, the following eligibility criteria will need to be met:
- You were the victim of a violent crime.
- That crime occurred in Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) or another relevant place.
- The crime was reported to the police.
Is There A Time Limit When Making A CICA Claim?
The general rule is that a claim should be made within 2 years of the incident occurring. There is also an expectation that the crime be reported to the police straight away. However, in cases where exceptional circumstances apply, the CICA can exercise their discretion in accepting a domestic violence claim beyond these deadlines.
It is, therefore, worth speaking to advisors about your particular circumstances and checking your eligibility.
Can I Still Claim If The Defendant Has Not Been Convicted?
Yes, you can. It is not necessary that the perpetrator be convicted to seek compensation for domestic violence through the CICA.
Our advisory team are available 24 hours a day via the contact information given below. They can assess your eligibility to begin a criminal injury claim, and offer further guidance on the CICA claims process. If eligible, you could be connected with one of the highly experienced criminal injury solicitors from our expert panel.
Types Of Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse can be split up into different kinds of abuse. We have explained some of these in greater detail below.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse occurs when someone attempts to control another person through manipulation or coersion. The CICA can pay out compensation for crimes of violence. As per the CICA Scheme 2012, a crime of violence includes a threat against someone where that person feared immediate violence and had reasonable firmness to experience this fear.
This means that, if your partner threatened you violently and you had reasonable grounds to think that you were in danger of being injured and you experienced mental injuries as a result, you may be able to claim domestic violence compensation.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is where someone injures you physically. This could include slapping, kicking, punching and biting. There are a number of different injuries you could sustain as a result of physical violence. They include:
- Broken bones, for example a fractured sternum or broken cheekbone
- Scarring such as facial scarring
- Soft tissue injuries
- Head injuries
- Burn injuries
- Eye injuries
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse or sexual assault is sexual contact that is not consented to. Rape is where someone uses their penis to penetrate the mouth, anus or vagina of another person without consent. Sexual abuse is considered a crime of violence according to the CICA.
The following incidents are examples of sexual abuse:
- Unwanted touching or groping
- Digital penetration or performing oral sex on someone without consent
- Rape
In some cases, an abusive relationship could include a combination of these different kinds of abuse. If you’ve been injured as a result of being abused in a relationship then you could receive domestic violence compensation from the CICA. Speak with an advisor today for more information.
What Are The Signs Of Domestic Violence?
According to the charity Victim Support, domestic abuse is a pattern of behaviour that is intended to exert control. Some of the signs include:
- Threats of physical violence
- Putting you down, either in private or while in public
- Physical violence, like slapping or punching
- Checking your phone and needing to know your whereabouts
- Controlling aspects of your life
- Forcing you to have sex or sexual contact
Domestic abuse could cause physical injuries if you’ve been violently attacked. For example, you could sustain broken bones, soft tissue injuries or scarring.
You could also sustain psychological injuries. For example, you might experience post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the abuse, or you could suffer from depression or anxiety. The CICA can consider the value of any mental harm you experience when valuing your claim.
How Much Compensation For Domestic Violence?
If your domestic violence compensation claim is successful, you can be paid up to two heads of claim. The first head of claim will cover the pain and suffering caused by your injury.
Compensation Table
The compensation amounts in this table are based on tariffs from the Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme 2012.
| Injury | Severity | Tariff Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Very Severe Injuries in addition to Loss of Earnings and Special Expenses. | Very Severe | Up to £500,000 |
| Major Paralysis | Paraplegia - Substantially Complete | £175,000 |
| Hemiplegia - Moderate | £55,000 | |
| Arm | Loss of Function in Non-dominant Arm | £27,000 |
| Chest | Extensive Removal or Repair of 1+ Organs | £16,500 |
| Head - Burns | Severe | £16,500 |
| Eye | Serious Permanent Blurred or Double Vision | £13,500 |
| Scarring - Face | Serious Disfigurement | £11,000 |
| Wrist | Fracture - Significant Continuing Disability | £6,200 |
| Shoulder | Dislocation - One Shoulder | £3,500 |
Special Expenses And Loss of Earnings In Criminal Injury Claims
You may be eligible to claim special expenses as part of your criminal injury claim. These costs must be directly resulting from the violent crime, necessary and not available free of charge elsewhere.
We have provided a few possible examples of such costs you could be reimbursed for here:
- Certain medical expenses.
- The cost of managing your affairs if your mental capacity has been reduced.
- Repairs or replacements to any personal aid equipment that was damaged in the incident.
- Domestic assistance relating to food preparation or bodily functions if you are unable to carry out these duties safely on your own.
You may also be able to claim for a loss of earnings, although certain eligibility criteria will apply. To learn more about claiming for additional costs through the CICA, or to get a free assessment of your eligibility, contact our advisory team today.
Get Help And Support For Domestic Violence Compensation With A No Win No Fee Solicitor
If you wish to claim domestic violence compensation, we can provide you with a skilled criminal injury solicitor to handle your CICA claim. Moreover, our lawyers can handle your compensation claim on a No Win No Fee basis.
You will not have to pay an upfront solicitors fee when making a No Win No Fee claim. A success fee will be deducted from your compensation payout in the event of a successful claim. If you are not awarded compensation, you will not have to pay your solicitor anything at all.
To begin your domestic violence claim, please get in touch with us right away:
- Call us on 0800 408 7825
- Contact us in writing
- Use the live chat feature on this screen
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Further Resources
We hope that this guide to claiming a domestic violence settlement has been helpful. Please feel free to read these other guides if you wish to know more.
What Are the Indicators of Sexual Abuse?
Assaulted At Work Compensation Claims
How To Make A Personal Injury Claim For Psychological Damage
NHS Help For Domestic Violence
Womens’ Aid- Domestic Abuse Charity
Gov.uk- How To Get Help For Domestic Abuse
If you have any more questions about claiming domestic violence compensation, speak with us today.
Article by AH
Publisher ET