If you’ve been the victim of a violent crime, making a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) can be an important step.
But in practice, the process is rarely straightforward – and the initial outcome is not always the final one.
The reality behind the figures
The CICA pays out significant sums each year – around £165 million in 2023-2024 alone.
However, the headline figures don’t reflect how many claims run into difficulty.
Recent data shows:
- Around 57% of claims are refused at first instance
- A large proportion of applicants either receive no award or less than expected
- The process itself can be difficult to navigate, particularly when it comes to evidence and deadlines
In short, making a claim is one thing – securing the right outcome is another.
What happens when decisions are challenged?
One of the clearest indicators of how the system operates is what happens on review and appeal.
- Around 30% of awards are changed following appeal
- Tribunal data suggests close to 60% of decisions are altered in some way
- Approximately 40% of appeals are successful outright
That tells its own story – initial decisions are not always reliable, and outcomes can change significantly when properly reviewed.
The difference legal representation can make
Data highlighted by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers gives a useful insight into the impact of legal representation in these cases.
In claims that progressed to appeal:
- The average initial offer was £7,848
- After appeal, this increased to £47,339 – over six times higher
While not every case will follow the same pattern, this does reflect a wider point – where claims are properly prepared, evidenced and, where needed, challenged, outcomes can be significantly improved.
Why do claims fall short?
CICA claims are assessed under a strict tariff system and depend heavily on evidence.
From experience, the issues are often familiar:
- Key medical evidence not fully obtained or understood
- Psychological injuries not properly recognised
- Applications not clearly setting out the full impact of the injury
- Procedural issues, including time limits and eligibility
In our experience, many clients come to us after receiving an initial decision that doesn’t reflect the full extent of their injuries.
These are not unusual problems – but they can have a significant effect on the outcome.
Getting it right from the outset
While it is possible to make a CICA claim without legal support, the available data suggests that many applicants do not receive the compensation they are entitled to on their first attempt.
Having specialist advice can help:
- ensure the claim is properly prepared from the beginning
- avoid common procedural issues
- identify where a decision should be challenged
- present the full value of a claim, particularly in more complex cases
Just as importantly, it can take some of the pressure off at what is often a very difficult time.
Final thoughts
The CICA scheme exists to compensate victims of violent crime, but the process is not always straightforward.
The statistics suggest that outcomes can and do change – sometimes significantly – when claims are reviewed, challenged and properly presented.
At Ringrose Law, we support clients through CICA claims with a clear and practical approach, helping them understand the process and ensuring they receive appropriate and maximum compensation following what is often a very traumatic experience.