By Stephen Burke. Last Updated 30th September 2024. In this guide, we look at when you could claim compensation for domestic violence. In some cases, you may be able to claim directly against the perpetrator. However, if this is not possible, you could make a criminal injury claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The CICA is an organisation which can award compensation to victims of violent crimes across England, Wales and Scotland. For the purposes of this guide, we’ll focus on the process of claiming via the CICA.
Throughout this guide, we discuss the claiming process through the CICA, including the eligibility criteria that need to be met, the evidence you may need to provide, and the time limits you need to be aware of.
Additionally, we look at how compensation for abuse is calculated when making a claim through the CICA.
Finally, we discuss how a No Win No Fee solicitor could assist you in seeking criminal injury compensation for domestic abuse.
If you have questions you’d like to ask while or after reading this guide, or you would like to get started with your potential claim, please do not hesitate to contact an advisor.
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Select a Section
- Eligibility To Claim Compensation For Domestic Abuse Through The CICA
- What Types Of Domestic Violence Can I Claim For?
- Evidence To Support A Domestic Abuse Compenation Claim
- Calculating Compensation For A CICA Claim
- No Win No Fee Solicitors For Domestic Abuse Compensation Claims
- Useful links Relating To Domestic Abuse Claims And Domestic Violence Compensation
Eligibility To Claim Compensation For Domestic Abuse Through The CICA
You could make a claim for compensation for domestic violence through the CICA. However, in order to make a CICA claim, you must meet their eligibility requirements. These are:
- You have to have been harmed in a crime of violence. The CICA Scheme offers some examples of crimes that are classed as violent. This includes sexual abuse, assault, and threat of assault.
- The crime must’ve happened in England, Wales, Scotland or another place that is relevant, such as a boat registered in one of the nations mentioned.
- You have to have reported the crime to the police.
- You must make your claim seeking compensation within a certain set time limit (this is generally 2 years from the date of the incident).
For more information about how the CICA can help with awarding compensation for victims of abuse, you can contact our friendly advisors.
What Types Of Domestic Violence Can I Claim For?
If you have sustained injuries due to domestic violence, you might want to know if you could claim compensation. There are various forms of abuse claims that you could make through the CICA for your physical and mental injuries. Under Annex B of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012, you could claim for:
- Physical abuse.
- Assault.
- Sexual abuse.
- Threat of violence.
It is important to recognise that you must have suffered injuries, either physical or psychological, from a crime of violence to be able to claim via the CICA. These could include injuries such as broken bones, scarring, and anxiety.
The CICA do not compensate victims of:
- Harassment.
- Financial abuse.
- Emotional abuse.
- Stalking.
- Coercive control.
To learn whether you could make a claim for domestic abuse compensation through the CICA, please contact an advisor. They could check your claim free of charge and provide you with free advice. If you have a valid claim, they could connect you with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors who could hel;p guide you through the claiming process.
Evidence To Support A Domestic Abuse Compensation Claim
When making a claim for domestic abuse compensation through the CICA, you must provide them with certain evidence. This includes:
- A police reference number to prove that you have reported the incident.
- Evidence that you meet the residency requirements.
- Medical evidence regarding the criminal injuries you have suffered.
It is important to note that the CICA will be able to liaise with the police for any additional information they may need regarding the incident covered in your domestic abuse claim.
If you would like to ask us any questions regarding how to make a CICA claim, or about other related matters, such as whether you can get examples of CICA payouts for domestic violence, you can contact one of our advisors.
Calculating Compensation For A CICA Claim
If you are eligible to claim compensation for abuse via the CICA, you may wish to know how much your claim could be worth.
If you make a successful domestic abuse compensation claim, you can be awarded compensation for your criminal injuries.
Additionally, your injuries will be valued in accordance with the tariff of injuries found within the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. These are fixed amounts.
If you have multiple injuries, it is important to note that you could claim up to 3 injuries through the CICA. Under the multiple injuries formula, you would receive the following amounts:
- 100% of the listed amount for your most valued injury.
- 30% for the second most valued, or an injury of equal value.
- 15% for the third most valued, or an injury of equal value.
The table below provides examples of CICA payouts for domestic violence injuries taken from the CICA tariff. However, the first figure in the table is not from the CICA.
| Injury | Severity | Additional Information | Tariff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Injuries and Special Expenses | Very Severe | Claimants could be awarded for up to 3 injuries from the compensation scheme plus special expenses and loss of earnings | Up to £500,000 |
| Major Paralysis | Paraplegia - Substantially Complete | The claimant suffers with an impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower extremeities. | £175,000 |
| Brain Damage | Moderate Brain Damage - Significant | This tariff covers significant dependence on others due to moderate brain damage, along with deficits to intellect, personality changes, reduced ability to work and some impact on the senses. | £82,000 |
| Mental Injury | Permanent - Seriously Disabling | A seriously disabling and confirmed diagnosis of a permanent mental injury. | £27,000 |
| Eye | Loss of One Eye | One eye has been lost. | £27,000 |
| Ankle | Fractured/Dislocated - Both | Both ankles have been fractured or dislocated, resulting in continuing significant disability. | £16,500 |
| Face | Multiple Fractures | Examples include Le Fort fractures. | £11,000 |
| Burns to the Upper Limbs | Severe | The claimant experienced severe burns to their arms. | £11,000 |
| Fractures to the Upper Limbs | Radius - Continuing Significant Disability | Both radius bones have been fractured, causing a continuing significant disabiity. | £11,000 |
| Back | Ruptured Invertebral Discs | Surgical Removal is required. | £11,000 |
Compensation For Domestic Violence In The UK – Special Expenses
As part of your CICA claim, you could also be awarded special expenses compensation. Under special expenses, you could be compensated for:
- Any equipment you relied on as a physical aid that was damaged in the incident, such as your glasses or a hearing aid.
- Any equipment that you need to deal with your injuries, such as kitchen equipment.
- Adaptations to your home, such as adding a stairlift or ramp.
- Care costs that relate to your bodily functions or food preparation.
All of these costs must be necessary, reasonable, and directly resulted from your injuries. They also can’t be available elsewhere for free.
Furthermore, you may also be able to claim for a loss of earnings through the CICA. However, specific criteria need to be met.
To learn what this criteria is, or for additional information about claiming compensation for victims of abuse through the CICA, you can contact our advisors.
No Win No Fee Solicitors For Domestic Abuse Compensation Claims
If you have valid grounds to claim domestic violence compensation, you could make the choice to seek help from a solicitor. If you discuss your circumstances with our advisors, they could review your case and potentially connect you with one of our expert No Win No Fee solicitors.
If you are connected with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors, they could offer to support your domestic violence claim under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means:
- You won’t have to pay any upfront or ongoing fees to your solicitor for their services.
- You won’t have the requirement to pay your solicitor for their work if your claim is unsuccessful.
- If your claim seeking compensation for domestic abuse succeeds, then the No Win No Fee solicitor who helped you will take a success fee from you. This is a percentage, that is capped legally, taken from the compensation awarded to you.
For more advice on how No Win No Fee solicitors can potentially support you claiming domestic abuse compensation, you can speak to our advisors for free. You can reach them by:
-
- Calling 0800 073 8801.
- Filling in our online contact page.
- Writing to us with our 24/7 live chat support.
Useful Links Relating To Domestic Abuse Claims And Domestic Violence Compensation
Women’s Aid
Find information and advice about how to deal with domestic violence and abuse, as well as how to get the help you need.
NHS Domestic Violence Help
Find out further information about how to get help and support if you have suffered domestic violence or domestic abuse with this guide provided by the NHS.
Government guidance on domestic abuse
Find out more about how to recognise domestic abuse, the kinds of abuse that people can be subjected to and reporting abuse, along with medical treatment options. And it covers how to report to the police about any harmful situations.
Our guide to claiming for psychological injuries such as depression, anxiety and PTSD.
Sexually harassed at work claims
This guide takes you through the process of claiming for sexual abuse at work.
Sexual abuse compensation claims
This guide will tell you all you need to know about claiming compensation for sexual abuse, both recent and historic.
Thank you for browsing our guide on domestic violence compensation claims and domestic abuse compensation claims. To make domestic abuse claims with us, please get in touch.
