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Last Updated 11th July 2024. This guide provides information about making a claim for assault. There are several avenues you could potentially take to seek compensation for assault, whether the incident occurred at work, in a public place or elsewhere. Firstly, you could make the claim directly against the perpetrator, if they have been identified and have the funds to pay compensation Finally, if neither of these ways is viable, you could make your claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The CICA award compensation to people who have been physically or mentally injured during a violent crime in England, Scotland and Wales. You can find more information on each of these ways later in our guide.
You may be wondering, ‘How much compensation will I get for an assault in the UK?’. Following this, we look at how compensation is calculated when claiming via the CICA by looking at the tariff set out in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012.
Additionally, we define assault and discuss the differences between grievous bodily harm (GBH) and actual bodily harm (ABH). This is followed by looking at what evidence you will need to apply for compensation through the CICA.
This guide concludes with a discussion about the benefits of having the support of a No Win No Fee solicitor during the claiming process.
If you would like to discuss your potential criminal injury claim, get in touch with one of the advisors from our team. They can answer your questions about launching a criminal injury claim and give you free advice.
To speak to a team member:
- Call 0161 509 2856
- Contact us online for a call back.
- Connect using our live webchat.
Select A Section
- How Much Compensation Will I Get For An Assault Claim?
- Special Expenses In Assault Compensation Claims
- When Could I Make A Claim For Assault Through The CICA?
- Can I Claim Compensation For An Assault That I Witnessed?
- I’m The Victim Of A Crime – Does Compensation Being Awarded Require Evidence?
- Assault Compensation Claims With No Win No Fee Solicitors
- Violent Crime and Assault Victim Support
How Much Compensation Will I Get For An Assault Claim?
If you successfully claim compensation for an assault through the CICA, then the payments for your injuries will be valued in line with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. It contains a fixed tariff and can provide compensation for a maximum of three injuries from this main tariff when you make an assault claim. It also contains a non-tariff figure in the first row to show you how you could be awarded compensation for up to three injuries and special expenses.
The table below contains several tariffs for certain injuries covered in the scheme.
| Injury | Description | Tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries plus financial losses | You may receive a payout for multiple serious injuries plus a payment for special expenses as well as lost income. | Up to £500,000 |
| Major paralysis | Cases that aren’t a result of brain damage. Paraplegia that’s substantially complete with impairment of lower extremities’ sensory function. | £175,000 |
| Very serious brain injury | Severe limitations physically with a significant effect on the senses and little or no environmental responses. | £175,000 |
| Loss of arms | Loss of both arms. | £110,000 |
| Kidney | Serious, permanent damage or loss of, both kidneys (or the only functional kidney). | £55,000 |
| Sight loss | Where sight has been lost in one eye. | £22,000 |
| Eye | Both retinas detached. | £13,500 |
| Face | Severe burns | £16,500 |
| Face | Multiple facial fractures. | £11,000 |
If your claim for an assault covers multiple injuries, then the following rates will apply:
- 100% of the tariff amount for the highest-valued injury.
- 30% of the tariff amount for the second-highest valued injury.
- 15% of the tariff amount for the third highest-valued injury.
You can contact our advisors for free today if you would like to ask questions about CICA compensation, such as “how much compensation can I get for an assault?”
Special Expenses In Assault Compensation Claims
You may also receive additional compensation for special expenses.
Some examples of special expenses you could receive include:
- The cost of replacing any physical aids damaged in the incident.
- Care costs relate to your bodily functions and food preparation.
- The cost of any equipment needed to cope with your injuries.
For the CICA to award special expenses, the costs not only need to be reasonable but necessary. These costs must also have resulted from your injury directly and the items mustn’t be free elsewhere.
Additionally, you could claim for a loss of earnings as part of your claim. However certain eligibility requirements will need to be met.
For further guidance, or for a free consultation regarding the validity of your potential claim, contact our team today.
When Could I Make A Claim For Assault Through The CICA?
If you would like to make a CICA claim, then you must be able to meet the eligibility requirements. These include:
- You must have reported the incident to the police if you wish to seek compensation for assault. The CICA will need your police reference number as part of the claims process.
- The criminal injuries compensation claim time limits must be adhered to. We look at these shortly.
- You must have suffered injuries in a crime of violence. These could be mental or physical injuries, or both. A crime of violence is, as per the CICA definition, an attack, an act that is violent in nature that results in harm, the threat of an attack where the person has reasonable firmness to be in fear, sexual assault and arson.
- The incident must have happened in England, Wales, Scotland or another relevant place.
- You could also make an assault claim as a witness. We look at this in the next section.
If you have any questions about your eligibility to seek compensation through the CICA, speak with an advisor from our team.
Can I Claim Compensation For An Assault That I Witnessed?
For criminal injury claims, you could potentially claim compensation for an assault if you witnessed the immediate aftermath of an incident where a loved one was injured. However, you must prove that because you witnessed this crime of violence, you sustained some form of psychological injury.
The immediate aftermath means the period immediately following when the person was injured. For example, if your partner was attacked and you found them right after the attack happened, you could make a claim. However, if they were attacked and you were told about the incident later that evening, you wouldn’t be able to claim.
So, if you have suffered a mental injury, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, after witnessing an assault, compensation may be awarded to you following a successful claim. Contact our advisors today for further guidance regarding criminal injury claims.
I’m The Victim Of A Crime – Does Compensation Being Awarded Require Evidence?
To make an assault compensation claim through the CICA, you will need to support your case with certain evidence. The evidence should include the following:
- A crime reference number – It is a requirement for CICA claims to report the assault you’re claiming for to the police. The crime reference number you’ll be provided by the police will confirm you have done this. The CICA will use this number to liaise with the police and gather any information they may need for your case.
- Medical evidence – This should provide confirmation of the assault injuries you’re claiming for. Such evidence for assault claims may include your medical records and a report from an independent medical professional who examined you. For example, if you were assaulted by your partner as you go through the process of a divorce, you may have attended your GP for treatment for your injuries.
- Proof that you meet the nationality/residency requirements – In order to make a CICA claim, you need to either be a UK citizen or meet the residency requirements or other requirements set out in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. If you are a UK citizen, then proof of this will be required to claim.
If you get support from a solicitor with your claim, then they can assist with gathering the evidence you need. You can contact our advisors for free today about your case, and we may be able to connect you with one of our experienced solicitors. Our advisors can also answer questions you may have, such as “How much compensation will I get for an assault claim?”
Assault Compensation Claims With No Win No Fee Solicitors
If you are seeking compensation for an assault, then we recommend getting support from a solicitor who has experience with this type of claim. After discussing your assault claim with one of our advisors, they could connect you with a solicitor here at Advice. They have years of experience handling various types of criminal injury claims and may offer to work with you on a No Win No Fee basis with a Conditional Fee Agreement. This is a type of No Win No Fee agreement.
When working with a solicitor on a No Win No Fee basis, you will not have to pay them any upfront or ongoing fees. You also generally won’t have to pay your solicitor for their services if your case fails. Instead, a success fee is paid should your claim be successful. This success fee is a legally capped percentage that your solicitor will deduct from your compensation award.
Contact our advisors if you would like to learn more about claiming assault compensation with a No Win No Fee solicitor. Our friendly team are available 24/7 to help answer your questions and offer you free advice.
Contact our advisors today:
- Call 0161 509 2856
- Use our live chat
- Or you can contact us online.
Violent Crime and Assault Victim Support
- CPS – Victims and witnesses – The details from the Crown Prosecution Service on how victims and witnesses are treated.
- Crime statistics – The Office of National Statistics information on crime in the UK.
- Domestic assault and abuse – How you can get help.
- Victim support – A charity set up to support victims of crime.
- NHS Page on Domestic violence and abuse – This NHS page is a guide to domestic violence help.
We hope you found this guide about claiming compensation for assault helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch at any time.
