Learn How To Make CICA Claim For Bodily Scarring
Scarring is a natural part of the body’s healing process after suffering a physical injury, such as a deep cut. However, scarring can be traumatic and can cause physical pain as well as severely impact your mental health even after the wound is healed. If you have been scarred in a crime of violence, such as an unprovoked common assault or a violent mugging, this guide can help you. We explain what the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is and how to make a CICA claim for bodily scarring if you are eligible for compensation.
Furthermore, we discuss the time limit for making a criminal injury claim and the potential compensation that could be awarded if your claim is successful.
At the end of this guide, you can learn how a specialist solicitor from our panel could help you make a permanent scar compensation claim on a No Win No Fee basis, if our advisors confirm that you are eligible.
Continue reading for information about making a CICA claim for severe facial scarring or bodily scarring. Otherwise, you can have a chat with our advisors for free:
- Call 020 8050 2736
- Submit an enquiry on our contact us form.
- Message in our live support box.
Jump To A Section
- What Is The CICA And How Can It Help You?
- How To Make A CICA Claim For Bodily Scarring</span>
- Is There A CICA Claim Time Limit?
- How Much Compensation Could You Claim For A Permanent Scar?
- Make A CICA Claim For Bodily Scarring On A No Win No Fee Basis
- Read More About Making a CICA Claim
What Is The CICA And How Can It Help You?
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a Great British agency that was set up to give victims of violent crime an avenue for compensation.
The CICA covers England, Wales, and Scotland, and their job is to control the administration of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012, which is used to determine valid claims and how much compensation someone could receive for a successful criminal injury claim.
In some circumstances following a violent crime, you could claim directly against the perpetrator. However, this isn’t always an option. This is why the CICA exists to help people who are suffering from criminal injuries.
Domestic abuse, arson, and muggings are just some types of incidents that could lead to you seeking criminal injury compensation for bodily scarring or facial scarring. To get a free assessment of your specific circumstances, please have a chat with one of our advisors today.
How To Make A CICA Claim For Bodily Scarring
To be eligible to make a CICA claim for bodily scarring, you must prove that you meet the following criteria:
- You were harmed by a violent crime as defined by the CICA. The CICA’s Scheme provides examples of incidents that are considered a violent crime, such as assault and arson.
- The incident occurred in either England, Wales, or Scotland, or an alternative relevant location (such as a boat that is registered to one of these countries).
- The incident was reported to the police.
- You are within the CICA claims time limit. We discuss this in more depth in a later section.
What Evidence Do I Need For A CICA Claim?
When making a claim through the CICA for bodily or facial scar compensation, you will need to provide specific evidence. These are:
- Proof you meet the residency requirements.
- A police reference number to prove that you have reported the incident.
- A copy of your medical records or other medical evidence to show the extent of your criminal injuries.
Any additional information the police may need regarding the incident, they will be able to liaise with the police for this.
If an advisor connects you with one of the specialist criminal injury solicitors from our panel, they will be able to help gather your evidence. So, contact us to confirm your claim eligibility.
Is There A CICA Claim Time Limit?
You might be wondering how long you have to claim criminal injury compensation. The time limit to pursue a CICA claim is generally 2 years. These 2 years begin from the date the incident occurred.
However, this time limit could be extended for exceptional circumstances. These are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The time limit for child injury claims are as follows:
- If the injured person was under the age of 18 when the incident occurred, and the incident was reported to the police before their 18th birthday, then the 2-year time limit begins from their 18th birthday, meaning they have until their 20th birthday to pursue a claim.
- If the injured person was under the age of 18 when the incident occurred, but the incident was not reported to the police before their 18th birthday, then the 2-year time limit could begin from the date they reported the incident. However, the injured person must show proof that exceptional circumstances prevented an application being put forward earlier (for example, cases of historical abuse).
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about CICA bodily or facial scar compensation claims.
How Much Compensation Could You Claim For A Permanent Scar?
As previously mentioned, compensation for bodily scarring after a crime of violence is awarded per the tariff of injuries as set out under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. In the table below, you can find some examples of CICA payouts for scarring. These are also fixed amounts, meaning you will receive what is listed for your injury if the claim is a success.
Additionally, if you have suffered more than one type of injury following a crime of violence, the multiple injuries formula may apply to your permanent scar injury claim. This formula means that you will be awarded:
- 100% compensation for the most serious injury.
- 30% compensation for the second most serious injury.
- 15% compensation for the third most serious injury.
You cannot claim compensation for more than three injuries.
Compensation Table
| Injury | Tariff amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple criminal injuries with special expenses | Up to £500,000 | Compensation for multiple serious criminal injuries alongside a special expenses payment. |
| Facial scarring | £11,000 | Serious disfigurement |
| £2,400 | Significant disfigurement | |
| Upper limb scarring | £3,500 | Serious disfigurement |
| £1,000 | Significant disfigurement | |
| Torso scarring | £3,500 | Serious disfigurement |
| £1,000 | Significant disfigurement | |
| Lower limb scarring | £3,500 | Serious disfigurement |
| £1,000 | Significant disfigurement |
Financial Losses In CICA Claims
You could also receive special expenses as part of your CICA claim for bodily scarring. These expenses, however, must be reasonable, necessary, and directly resulting from your scarring injury. Additionally, they can’t be obtained for free from anywhere else.
Some of the things you could receive under special expenses include:
- If the incident impacted your mobility you need to make home adaptations such as an access ramp.
- Repairs or replacements for personal aid equipment, such as glasses, that were damaged during the incident.
- Any professional care costs relating to bodily functions or food preparation.
- Administrative costs associated with coping with your criminal injuries, such as therapy costs if your mental health has been severely impacted.
It is also possible to be reimbursed for any loss of earnings. However, certain criteria will need to be met. Our advisors can tell you more about this and any other questions you have regarding how compensation is calculated for permanent scar compensation claims.
Make A CICA Claim For Bodily Scarring On A No Win No Fee Basis
If you are eligible to make a CICA claim for bodily scarring, a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel could work on your case under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
Having a solicitor work on your claim under a CFA is extremely beneficial because:
- There are no upfront costs for their services.
- There are no ongoing costs for their services.
- There are no costs for their work at all if your claim is unsuccessful.
- If your claim is successful, a success fee can be deducted by your solicitor. Success fees are a small percentage of your compensation. By law, there is a cap to the maximum percentage that can be taken. This ensures that the larger part of your compensation definitely goes to you.
Get In Touch With Us Today
If you have suffered bodily scarring following a violent crime, have a chat with our advisors to see whether you can claim compensation through the CICA. If you are eligible to make a scar compensation claim, our advisors can connect you with a specialist solicitor from our panel. Our solicitors offer the best free legal advice and can offer you support throughout the entire scar injury claims process. Here are ways to contact us for free:
- Call 020 8050 2736
- Submit an enquiry on our contact us form.
- Message in our live support box.
Read More About Making a CICA Claim
Here are some more guides of ours about criminal injury compensation:
- How to claim compensation for a stabbing through the CICA.
- How to claim compensation for facial scarring after an assault.
- How to make a criminal burn injury claim.
Additionally, these pages might provide useful information for you:
- Police.UK – how to contact the police to report an incident.
- Victim Support – a charity that provides help and support for those that have been subject to a violent crime.
- NHS – how and when to give first aid after an incident.
We hope that this guide on how to make a CICA claim for bodily scarring has helped you. Please remember that our advisors are available 24/7 should you have any further questions or concerns.
