If you have been injured in a violent crime, you may be wondering whether you could claim compensation. This guide will examine who could claim compensation for facial scarring through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) following an assault.

The CICA is an executive agency sponsored by the Ministry of Justice that was established to provide the victims of violent crimes with an avenue of claim compensation. The CICA administers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012, a government-funded programme that awards the victims of violent crimes with compensation for their injuries.

This guide looks at the eligibility to begin a CICA claim, as well as the relevant time limits. We have also provided information on how criminal injuries compensation is calculated and the evidence required to support your claim.

Our final section looks at the type of No Win No Fee contract our panel of solicitors could offer you if our advisors decide you have a valid claim, as well as a brief overview of the benefits to you as a claimant who begins their claim under these terms.

Read on for more information, or contact our team via any of the contact information given here:

• Fill in the online “Contact Us” form here.
• Call a team member on 020 8050 2736.
• Click the live chat button at the bottom of this page. 

Browse Our Guide

1. Potential Compensation For Facial Scarring
2. When Are You Eligible To Claim Compensation For Facial Scarring?
3. What Incidents Could Lead To You Seeking Assault Compensation?
4. What Do You Need To Claim Compensation Through The CICA?
5. Make A Criminal Injury Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis
6. Learn More About Claiming Compensation For Facial Scarring

Potential Compensation For Facial Scarring

Compensation for facial scarring after an assault is awarded per the tariff of injuries set out in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Tariff 2012. You can see the tariff amounts in the table below.

If you have sustained more than one injury during the assault, then the multiple injuries formula may be applied. This means that you will receive:

• 100% of the tariff amount for the highest value injury.
• 30% for the next highest or an injury of equal value.
• 15% for the third highest or an injury of equal value.

Although the Scheme does not compensate for more than 3 injuries, a separate payment can be made if you contracted an STI, became pregnant, or lost a foetus as a result of the assault. These payments are not subject to the multiple injuries formula.

Compensation Table

It is important to note that the tariff amounts are fixed.

Injury	Tariff Amount	Notes
Multiple criminal injuries with additional damages	Up to £500,000	You could receive compensation for several serious criminal injuries alongside a payment for loss of earnings and special expenses.
Burns	£33,000	Burns affecting several areas of the body and covering more than 25% of the total skin alongside significant scarring.
Burns to the head and neck	£27,000	Severe burns to the face causing more than minor disfigurement.
	£3,500	Moderate facial burns causing more than minor disfigurement.
	£16,500	Severe burns to the head resulting in disfigurement that is more than minor.
	£2,400	Moderate burns to the head resulting in disfigurement that is more than minor.
	£16,500	Severe burns to the neck resulting in disfigurement that is more than minor.
	£2,400	Moderate burns to the neck resulting in disfigurement that is more than minor.
Facial scarring	£11,000	Serious disfigurement.
	£2,400	Significant disfigurement.

Special Expenses

Costs incurred from the injuries you sustained during your assault can be compensated as special expenses. We have provided some potential costs that could be reimbursed here:

• Home adaptations, such as an accessible shower or access ramp, if the assault has impacted your mobility.
• Repairs or replacements for personal aid equipment, such as a walking stick or glasses, that were damaged during the attack.
• Any administrative costs associated with managing your affairs in cases where a person’s mental capacity has been impacted by their injuries.
• In-home care and support in relation to food preparation or bodily functions if the person is unable to safely carry out these tasks themself.

Claiming special expenses as part of your compensation will require evidence so be sure to hold onto copies of any receipts, invoices, and other documents showing you incurred financial losses due to the assault. There are also other criteria that need to be met in order for you to qualify for a special expenses payment.

Loss of Earnings

It is possible to claim a loss of earnings payment. However, certain criteria will need to be met. You will need to demonstrate that you were unable to work for at least 28 full weeks, with compensation being paid from the 29th week. You will also need to provide proof you were in work at the time of the assault or that you have established work history for 3 years prior. Other criteria will also apply.

To discuss further how compensation is calculated in a criminal injury claim, as well as the eligibility criteria to claim special expenses and loss of earnings, contact our advisors using the details given at the top of this guide.

When Are You Eligible To Claim Compensation For Facial Scarring?

The Scheme was established to provide victims of crimes of violence with an avenue of claim. It is important to note that the Scheme is intended as a last resort, meaning if another avenue of claim is available to you, you should pursue that instead.

Your assailant’s conviction, arrest, or identification are not prerequisites to starting a claim for compensation for facial scarring. We have detailed the criminal injuries compensation eligibility criteria here:

1. You were the victim of a violent crime.
2. The crime took place in Great Britain (England, Scotland, or Wales) or another relevant place. A “relevant place” would be a ship that is registered in Great Britain.
3. You reported the crime to the police.

Time Limits When Claiming Compensation For Facial Scarring

Generally, for adults, there is a limitation period of two years from the date the crime occurred. You are also expected to report the assault to the police straight away unless exceptional circumstances prevent you from doing so. In cases where exceptional circumstances apply to reporting the incident and the two-year time limit for starting a claim, an extension could be granted at the CICA’s discretion.

Injured persons who were under 18 at the time of the assault and reported the crime to the police before they turned 18 will have two years from their 20th birthday. For cases where no report was made before their 18th birthday, the two years are counted from the date of reporting. An adult who has parental responsibility for the child could make a claim on their behalf, although proof of this relationship will be required before the claims process can begin.

Contact our advisors via the details given above to learn more about how long you have to claim criminal injury compensation and whether or not exceptional circumstances apply in your particular case.

What Incidents Could Lead To You Seeking Assault Compensation?

A number of incidents could lead to you seeking compensation for facial scarring. We have given a few examples here:

• A mugging.
• Domestic abuse.
• Arson.

“Assault” is a broad term that covers a number of different incidents. This list therefore is by no means exhaustive. To get an assessment of your particular circumstances, speak to our advisors using the contact information given at the end of this guide.

What Do You Need To Claim Compensation Through The CICA?

When making a claim for compensation for facial scarring following an assault, you will need to submit supporting evidence. We have compiled a list of evidence that could support your claim here:

• The police reference number from when you reported the crime.
• Proof you meet the residency requirement.
• Evidence of any monetary losses.
• Medical documents, such as copies of your X-ray or other scans, showing you sustained injuries that are compensated under the Scheme.

You will not need to provide evidence that the crime occurred, such as witness statements or CCTV footage. The CICA will liaise with the police for information relating to the crime.

If you have a valid claim, one of the criminal injuries experts from our panel of solicitors could support you in collecting evidence. Speak to an advisor today to get a free assessment of your eligibility to begin a claim.

Make A Criminal Injury Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis

The first step in beginning your claim for compensation for facial scarring following an assault is to contact our team for a zero-cost assessment of your particular circumstances. If it is decided you’re eligible to claim, a solicitor from our panel could offer to take your claim on a No WIn No Fee basis under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). 

By beginning your claim with a solicitor from our panel of criminal injury specialists, you will experience a number of benefits, including:

• Generally, there are no fees at the start of the claims process for the solicitor to begin working on your case.
• You will likewise not accrue fees for this work during the claims process itself.
• Lastly, there’s no fee to pay for the solicitor’s services if your claim does not succeed.

A successful CICA claim will see you awarded compensation in line with the 2012 Scheme tariff. The solicitor will take a legally capped percentage of this compensation as their success fee. This cap means that you will keep most of any compensation awarded to you.

Our dedicated and experienced team can answer any questions you may have about the CICA claims process. Get in touch today via any of the following:

• Fill in the online “Contact Us” form here.
• Call a team member on 020 8050 2736.
• Click the live chat button at the bottom of this page. 

Learn More About Claiming Compensation For Facial Scarring

Learn more about claiming for criminal injuries with these guides:

• Learn more about claiming compensation for common assault.
• Read our guide on claiming compensation for GBH.
• Find more examples of CICA payouts you could receive following a successful criminal injury claim here.

External resources you may find useful:

• The Government has prepared this webpage on the various places you could get support as a victim of crime.
• See this guidance from the NHS on when to call 999.
• Get help from Victim Support, a non-profit organisation set up to help victims of crime.

Thank you for taking the time to read our guide on claiming compensation for facial scarring. Please get in touch with our experienced team of advisors if you have any questions regarding the information in this guide. Our team can also assess your eligibility to begin a claim for free. Get in touch via any of the contacts given above.