Claim Criminal Injuries Compensation For Broken Hip
A broken hip is a serious injury that can significantly impact a person’s mobility, daily activities, and overall quality of life. If your broken hip resulted from a violent crime, you may be eligible for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The CICA is a UK government-funded scheme that provides financial compensation to victims of violent crime who have suffered physical or psychological harm. A broken hip can lead to extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, loss of earnings, and long-term disability, making it essential to understand your rights and the claims process.
We provide free initial consultations to guide you through the process of handling criminal injuries compensation claims with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Understanding Broken Hip and Common Causes of Broken Hip
A broken hip (hip fracture) occurs when the upper part of the femur (thigh bone) is fractured due to severe impact or trauma. This type of injury is more common in older adults but can happen to anyone subjected to sudden force or violence. Hip fractures often require surgical intervention, such as hip replacement or fixation with metal plates and screws, followed by months of rehabilitation. In the context of CICA claims, a broken foot must result from a violent crime. Common causes include:
- Physical Assault – A direct attack, such as being pushed, kicked, punched, or struck with an object, can result in a hip fracture. This is especially common in unprovoked street violence, bar fights, and domestic altercations where victims are forcefully thrown to the ground or against hard surfaces.
- Mugging or Robbery – Victims of theft, attempted robbery, or aggravated burglary may be violently pushed to the ground or physically attacked, leading to serious fractures. If a weapon is used or excessive force is applied, the likelihood of a broken hip increases.
- Domestic Violence – Cases of severe physical abuse in domestic settings can cause serious injuries, including broken hips. Repeated attacks, forced restraint, or being thrown onto hard surfaces can lead to hip fractures, particularly in vulnerable individuals such as elderly or disabled victims.
- Hit-and-Run Incidents – Being deliberately struck by a vehicle, forcibly pushed into moving traffic, or knocked to the ground by an assailant using a car as a weapon can lead to severe hip fractures, often requiring long-term rehabilitation.
- Gang Violence or Public Disorder – Incidents involving multiple attackers, riots, or organised crime activities can result in severe injuries, including broken hips. Victims caught in violent confrontations may suffer blows from weapons, falls from height, or forceful kicks leading to fractures.
- Injuries While Resisting Attackers – Victims who attempt to escape from an attacker, defend themselves, or evade a violent situation may trip, fall, or be forcibly tackled, leading to hip fractures.
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Being attacked with objects such as bats, metal rods, or heavy blunt instruments can cause direct trauma to the hip region, leading to fractures.
- The Injury Must Have Resulted from a Crime of Violence – Your broken hip must be directly linked to a violent criminal act.
- The Crime Must Be Reported to the Police – You must report the crime to the police as soon as possible. A valid crime reference number is required for your claim.
- You Must Have Medical Evidence – You need to provide medical records, including X-rays, hospital reports, and doctor’s notes, confirming the severity of the fracture and the treatment received.
- You Must Apply Within Two Years – The application must be submitted within two years from the date of the crime unless exceptional circumstances prevented you from doing so.
- You Must Cooperate with the Police and CICA – Your claim will only be considered if you have fully cooperated with the police and any criminal investigation related to the incident.
- UK Residency or Citizenship Requirement – You must be a UK resident or meet the criteria as a qualifying victim of a crime in the UK.
- Criminal Record Considerations – If you have unspent criminal convictions, particularly for violent crimes, your claim may be reduced or denied.
How Much Compensation Can You Receive For Broken Hip?
Our cica claim calculator in the main menu will help you with estimating the potential compensation that may be paid in respect to your claim. However, be aware that figures do vary considerably depending upon the nature (severity) of the injury and the impact on your daily life, period of suffering and whether any mental harm has been caused.
CICA compensation is awarded based on the severity of your injury and its long-term effects. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (Annex E Tariff of Injuries) sets out the following compensation levels for hip fractures:
CICA Compensation For Broken Hip
Fractured or Dislocated Hip
- One Hip – Substantial Recovery – £2,400 (A4)
- One Hip – Continuing Significant Disability – £11,000 (A8)
- Both Hips – Substantial Recovery – £6,200 (A7)
- Both Hips – Continuing Significant Disability – £16,500 (A10)
If your injury has resulted in long-term mobility issues, chronic pain, or permanent disability, you may qualify for the higher compensation tiers.
Additionally, if you have suffered financial losses due to the injury, such as lost wages or medical expenses not covered by the NHS, you may be eligible for special expenses under CICA’s rules. These expenses may cover:
- Loss of earnings (if unable to work for more than 28 weeks)
- The cost of mobility aids such as crutches or wheelchairs
- Home adaptations, such as stairlifts or handrails
- Travel costs for hospital and rehabilitation visits
- Personal care or assistance expenses
Understanding a Broken Hip and Types of Hip Injuries
What is a Broken Hip?
A broken hip, or hip fracture, is a serious injury where the upper part of the femur (thigh bone) breaks due to trauma. This type of fracture is particularly common in elderly individuals due to weakened bones from osteoporosis, but it can also occur in younger individuals due to high-impact injuries from violent crimes, falls, or accidents.
A hip fracture can severely impact mobility, requiring surgery, extensive rehabilitation, and sometimes leading to long-term disability. Understanding the different types of hip injuries is essential, as they determine the severity of the injury and the potential recovery process.
Different Types of Hip Injuries:
Hip injuries can range from minor sprains to severe fractures that require long-term medical treatment. Below, we categorize them based on their severity and impact on mobility:
- Severe Hip Injuries (Require Surgery and Extensive Recovery)
These injuries significantly impact mobility and often require surgical intervention.
- Fractured Hip – A break in the femur near the hip joint. It can occur in different areas, such as:
- Neck of Femur Fracture – Just below the ball of the hip joint, often requiring hip replacement.
- Intertrochanteric Fracture – Between the upper bony parts of the femur, commonly treated with screws and plates.
- Subtrochanteric Fracture – Lower down on the femur but still affecting hip stability.
- Fractured Pelvis – A break in the pelvic bones, sometimes as serious as an amputation in terms of mobility loss. It can lead to nerve damage and chronic pain.
- Dislocated Hip – When the ball of the femur is forced out of the hip socket. Often caused by severe trauma like car crashes or falls, requiring emergency realignment.
- Moderate Hip Injuries (Painful but Often Heal Without Surgery)
These injuries cause significant discomfort and mobility issues but may not always require surgical intervention.
- Hip Bursitis – Inflammation of the fluid-filled sac (bursa) in the hip, causing severe pain and swelling. It typically heals with rest and physiotherapy.
- Muscle and Ligament Tears (Hip Strain) – Overstretching or tearing of muscles and ligaments around the hip due to a sudden contraction or impact. Can take weeks to heal and may cause difficulty walking.
- Incomplete (Hairline) Fractures – A small crack in the bone that does not completely break it. These require rest and limited weight-bearing to heal properly.
- Mild Hip Injuries (Temporary Pain and Discomfort)
These injuries may cause short-term pain and discomfort but usually heal on their own with minimal medical intervention.
- Hip Bruising – Caused by direct impact to the hip, leading to pain and discoloration but no bone damage.
- Minor Sprains and Strains – Overuse or overstretching of muscles and tendons in the hip, resulting in temporary discomfort.
Additional Losses You Can Claim
Loss of Earnings – If your injury caused you to be unable to work for more than 28 weeks, you may be eligible for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) for lost earnings. To qualify, you must be able to demonstrate that you had a consistent and regular income before the injury. This could include proof of full-time employment, self-employment, or any other verifiable source of income. CICA will consider your pre-injury income levels to calculate the compensation. This can be especially crucial if the injury significantly impacted your financial stability and your ability to support yourself or your family.
Psychological Trauma – If your injury led to psychological trauma such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety, you may be entitled to additional compensation. These mental health conditions can have a long-term impact on your well-being, and CICA recognises the importance of supporting victims of crime with emotional and psychological support. To qualify for compensation for psychological trauma, you will need to provide medical evidence of the diagnosis from a qualified mental health professional. The severity of your condition and the impact on your daily life will be taken into account when determining the amount of compensation.
Special Expenses – If your injury results in additional needs, such as mobility aids or home adaptations, CICA may compensate you for these “special expenses.” However, there is an important criterion: you must have been unable to work for at least 28 weeks as a result of your injury. This compensation is meant to help cover the costs of any special equipment or alterations to your living space that are necessary for you to maintain a reasonable quality of life after the injury. This can include items like wheelchairs, prosthetics, home modifications (such as ramps or stairlifts), or any other equipment that helps you with mobility or daily activities. The claim must be substantiated by proof of these expenses and how they relate to your injury.
- Report the Crime Immediately – Delays in reporting the crime can weaken your claim, so notify the police as soon as possible. If there is a valid reason for a delay, such as being medically incapacitated or facing threats from the perpetrator, you must provide evidence to support your explanation.
- Provide Strong Medical Evidence – Ensure all medical reports, X-rays, and surgical records clearly detail your injury, the severity of the fracture, and its long-term effects. A medical professional’s prognosis regarding mobility limitations, future treatments, and rehabilitation needs can strengthen your claim.
- Keep Financial Records and Document Expenses – If you have lost earnings or incurred medical expenses due to your injury, retain all relevant documentation. You may be able to claim special expenses for:
- Loss of income due to inability to work;
- Mobility aids such as crutches or wheelchairs;
- Home modifications (e.g., stairlifts or handrails);
- Ongoing physiotherapy or rehabilitation costs;
- Travel costs for medical appointments;
- Costs of personal care if you need assistance with daily activities.
- Be Consistent with Your Statements – Ensure your statements to the police, medical professionals, and CICA are aligned. Discrepancies in accounts of how the injury occurred or differences in timelines may raise questions that could delay or reduce your compensation.
- Seek Legal Assistance If Necessary – If your case is complex, involves long-term disability, or was initially rejected, consulting a solicitor who specialises in CICA claims may help strengthen your application. Legal professionals can assist in gathering additional evidence, drafting appeals, and negotiating a fair settlement.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Basic Eligibility Requirements:
You need to meet some basic requirements before you can claim compensation from CICA
- Time Limit: There is a two-year time limit for making a CICA claim for compensation under the scheme, although exceptions may be made in cases where the injury was not immediately apparent or where the victim was a child at the time of the crime. Exceptions may be made for historic sexual abuse cases else you should have a good reason for delay in making a claim.
- Connection Between Injury & Crime: The injuries you are claiming for must have been sustained as a direct result of a crime of violence and you are a blameless victim.
- Reporting the Crime: The crime must have been reported to the police as soon as is reasonably practicable and you do not drop the charges. The victim must have cooperated with the police investigation and prosecution. CICA does not consider whether an assailant is prosecuted or not.
- Residency: To be eligible for compensation under the CICA scheme, the incident must have happened in England, Scotland or Wales and victim must have been resident in the UK at the time of the crime.
- Behaviour of The Victim: The victim’s behaviour must not have contributed to the injury. In certain circumstances, compensation may still be payable even if the victim’s behaviour contributed to the injury, but this will be assessed by CICA on a case-by-case basis.
- Criminal Convictions: In some cases, compensation may be reduced or refused if the victim has an unspent criminal record.
- Injuries Before 1979 (the “same roof” rule): Until 2019, victims injured before 1 October 1979 by an attacker they lived with could not claim. That restriction was abolished in June 2019, so if you were previously refused compensation for this reason you may now be able to apply.
If you are considering making a compensation claim for your injuries, it’s always best to consult with a solicitor or the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) to check your eligibility to make a claim. You can call us or request a free callback for a free initial consultation. We take all CICA cases on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means you don’t need to pay us anything if we can’t secure any compensation.
What is Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme?
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in the UK is a government-run program that provides financial compensation to individuals who have been physically or mentally injured as a result of violent crime. The compensation is paid to those who have suffered injury and can demonstrate that the injury was sustained as a direct result of a crime of violence.
To be eligible for compensation, the crime must have been reported to the police and the victim must have cooperated with the police investigation and prosecution. The amount of compensation awarded is based on a tariff system and can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds, depending on the severity of the injury and other factors.
The purpose of this scheme is to provide financial support to victims of violent crime who have been physically or mentally injured as a result of the crime. The compensation is intended to help cover the cost of medical expenses (which are not covered by NHS or recoverable from any other source), lost income, and other expenses related to the injury.
What Payments Are Available From The Scheme?
CICA will consider claims for the following injuries, medical conditions and special expenses:
- mental or physical injury following a crime of violence;
- sexual or physical abuse;
- loss of earnings – where you have no or limited capacity to work as the direct result of a criminal injury;
- special expenses payments – these cover certain costs you may have incurred as a direct result of an incident. You can only ask us to consider special expenses if your injuries mean you have been unable to work or have been incapacitated to a similar extent for more than 28 weeks;
- a fatality caused by a crime of violence including bereavement payments, payments for loss of parental services and financial dependency; and funeral payments.
To qualify for an award, an injury must be described in the tariff of injuries at Annex E of the CICA Scheme. Not all claims for compensation will be successful; you must be eligible under the rules of the Scheme.
What Information Do I Need To Make A Criminal Injuries Compensation Claim?
To make a claim for compensation claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), you will need to provide certain information and documentation to support your criminal injury claim. Some of the information and documentation as minimum you will need include:
Details of The Crime & Injuries: You will need to provide a detailed account of the crime that resulted in your injury, including the date, time, location of the incident and injury details.
Crime Reference Number: You will need to provide the crime reference number issued by the police.
Police Station, Police Officer Name & Collar Number: You will need to provide the name of the police station, police officer name and collar number who dealt with the crime.
GP & Hospital Details and Medical records: You will need to provide GP & hospital details, consent to ask your medical records to see the nature and extent of your injuries, including any diagnoses and treatment received and submit it to CICA.
Other Supporting Evidence: You may also need to provide additional supporting evidence, such as witness statements or photographs, specialist medical reports, etc. to support your claim.
How is The Compensation Amount Determined?
The compensation amount is determined based on a tariff system that takes into account the specific nature and impact of the injury. We can assist with negotiating the compensation amount and ensuring that you receive the maximum amount of compensation available under the scheme. We can also check your eligibility to make a CICA claim and also advise you the approximate award amount you might receive from CICA.
Can I File a CICA Claim & Receive Compensation if The Offender is Not Convicted?
Yes, you can still file a CICA claim and compensation may still be payable even if the offender is not convicted. Remember you have two years to make a compensation claim under the CICA scheme, although exceptions may be made in cases where the injury was not immediately apparent or where the victim was a child at the time of the crime. Exceptions may be made for historic sexual abuse cases else you should have a good reason for delay in making a claim.
Can I Receive Compensation if I Was Injured Outside the UK?
To be eligible for compensation through the CICA, the crime must have occurred in England, Scotland, or Wales. If you were injured outside of the UK, you may still be eligible for compensation through other schemes or compensation programs but not from CICA.
Which Injuries Can Not Be Claimed From CICA?
CICA has specific eligibility criteria for claims, and certain types of injuries or circumstances may not be eligible for compensation. Here are some common examples of injuries or circumstances that may not be eligible for compensation through the CICA:
Self-inflicted Injuries: Compensation cannot be awarded for injuries that were self-inflicted or caused by the victim’s own actions.
Criminal Activity: Compensation cannot be awarded for injuries sustained as a result of criminal activity in which the victim was participating, such as a fight or brawl.
Minor Injuries: Minor physical injuries which can be healed itself such as scratches, bruises, black eye, soft tissue injuries, broken nose, broken ribs, bruising or a black eye are not claimable. You can claim for scarring from the CICA scheme.
Animal Attack / Dog Bite: You can’t claim for any animal attack or dog bites unless the animal was used as a weapon and ordered to attack purely to cause the harm or injuries.
Theft or Burglary: Damaged or lost/stolen properties such as house, car, phone, or any other device cannot be claimed from CICA scheme. You can claim for physical or mental injuries sustained as a result of theft, burglary and attack.
PTSD Not Diagnosed by Psychologist or Psychiatrist: PTSD, Anxiety and depression needs to be diagnosed by a clinical Psychologist or Psychiatrist in order to make a claim. CICA won’t accept any diagnosis by GP or any other medical professional.
When CICA Can Reject Your Claim?
The most common reasons for a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claim to be rejected are:
Time Limit: Claims must be made within two years of the date of the incident or the date when it is reported to the police. Where claimant is a minor they have until their 20th birthday to make a CICA claim. Claims made outside this time limit may be rejected, unless you have exceptional circumstances for the delay in submitting your claim.
Failure to Cooperate With the Police: Compensation claim may be rejected if the victim failed to provide statement, cooperate with the police during the investigation or dropped charges.
Unspent Conviction: If the claimant has an unspent conviction at the time of applying or before an award offer, their claim may be reduced or rejected. If you are unsure that your drink and drive or any other conviction is spent or unspent then give us a call.
Minor Injuries: If the injuries you sustained during the incident are minor and not included within the ‘CICA Scheme Tariff” then your claim may be rejected by CICA.
Psychological Injury Without Diagnosis: CICA may reject any claim compensation for mental injuries that are not diagnosed by a clinical Psychologist or Psychiatrist.
Lack of Supporting Evidence: If the requested medical evidence or other supporting evidence are not provided or not enough to demonstrate that you sustain an injury as a direct result of violent crime, then your claim may be rejected.
How We Can Help With CICA Claim?
- Providing Advice on Eligibility: We can help determine if you are eligible for compensation through the CICA scheme, based on the specific circumstances of your case and the other requirements of the scheme. We can help you recover compensation from £1,000 to £500,000.
- Gathering & Presenting Evidence: We can help gather and present evidence to support your claim, including medical records, injury form, GP report and other forms & relevant documentation. We will fight to recover the compensation that you deserve & deal with matters on your behalf.
- Completing the Application Form: We will complete the application form for CICA compensation on your behalf to ensure that it is completed correctly and submitted in a timely manner. We will handle everything on priority basis and keep it confidential.
- Negotiating the Compensation Amount: We will negotiate with the CICA on your behalf to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation available under the scheme. We will also advise you that the compensation award offered is appropriate or not.
- No Win, No Fee: We will proceed with you claim on a No Win, No Fee basis. You don’t need to pay us anything if we can’t secure any compensation for you from CICA.
It’s important to note that while a solicitor is not required to make a claim for compensation through the CICA, many victims find it helpful to have legal representation to ensure that their rights are protected and that they receive the maximum amount of compensation available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
