How to know if you can make a criminal injury claim for compensation

If you have suffered a criminal injury anywhere in the world you will be pleased to learn that you will often be entitled to make a claim for compensation. Find out some important factors you must consider before making your claim in Great Britain and how to know if criminal compensation schemes operate in other countries.

What is a criminal injury claim for compensation?

When you suffer an injury, either physical or psychological, as a result of a crime of violence you are entitled to claim compensation from the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority in certain countries, such as Great Britain.

Do you have to involve the police to make claim?

"Yes," where possible the incident that led to your injury should be reported to the police so that the crime can be properly investigated and the person who caused your injury prosecuted.

How long following your injury do you have to make a criminal compensation claim?

The time period to make a claim will vary from country to country.

If you are injured in Great Britain - you will have two years from your criminal injury to make a claim, but there are some exceptions when you might be granted more time: for example, if you were a child at the time of your injury.

Where must your criminal injury occur for you to have a claim?

Many countries across the world have a criminal injury compensation claim.

For example, if you are injured in Great Britain, which consists of the countries England, Scotland and Wales -- a claim can be made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

Ireland has a very similar criminal compensation scheme as do most of the European Union countries.

Some other countries such as the United States, Australia and Hong Kong also have a criminal injuries compensation scheme.

How much criminal injury compensation will you receive?

The amount of criminal injury compensation you receive will depend on the injury you suffer.

Most schemes have a fixed scale or tariff - in other words a fixed sum of money for each type of injury you suffer.

Do you receive your legal costs as part of a our criminal injury compensation claim?

"No," in most countries you will not receive your legal costs in making a claim, but most injury lawyers will agree to assist you on the understanding that payment will be made out from your compensation if your claim is successful.