Seeking Compensation for Facial Scarring
Facial scarring can significantly impact your life, influencing your self-esteem, social interactions, and professional opportunities. By pursuing a facial scar claim, you are standing up for yourself, seeking justice, and getting the necessary support for your recovery and future well-being.
Facial scarring as a result of a criminal injury can be a deeply traumatic experience, impacting both physical appearance and mental health. Victims of such incidents have the right to seek facial scar compensation through the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA). Claiming facial scar compensation is not just about financial restitution; it’s about justice and the acknowledgment of your suffering.
We can help you to make facial scarring claim and to maximise your chances to get the award.
How Much Compensation You Can Claim For Facial Scarring Claims
Facial scar compensation depends on various aspects, including the injury’s context, the scar’s severity, and its life impact. The type of claim — whether personal injury, workplace, or CICA — also influences the potential compensation amount
CICA operates on a tariff-based system, with set amounts for different types of injuries. The facial scar compensation can range from around £2,400 for less serious scars to over £11,000 for more serious or multiple scars. Factors like the psychological impact of the injury are also considered, but the tariffs are typically more rigid than in personal injury or workplace claims.
If the scarring occurs due to an accident at work, the claim is usually made through workplace injury compensation processes. Here, factors like whether the employer’s negligence contributed to the accident are considered. Compensation amounts are similar to personal injury claims, with significant emphasis on the impact of the scarring on professional life and future employment prospects.
Less severe facial scarring claim can range between £17,000 -£48,000.
Very severe facial scarring claim can range between £29,000 -£98,000.
Understanding the Common Causes of Facial Scarring Injuries
Physical Altercations:
- Assaults and Fights: Unfortunate instances of physical altercations can result in various types of facial injuries, including scrapes, especially when the face comes in contact with abrasive surfaces.
- Robberies and Attacks: In situations of robbery or unprovoked attacks, victims might suffer facial scraping as they defend themselves or are attacked.
Domestic Violence:
- Abuse in the Home: Facial scraping injuries can sadly be a consequence of domestic violence, occurring during physical confrontations.
Workplace Accidents:
- Construction Sites: Workers at construction sites are susceptible to facial scrapings due to falls, debris, or mishandling of machinery.
- Industrial Workplaces: Similar to construction sites, working with heavy machinery or in environments with hazardous materials can increase the risk of facial injuries.
Road Accidents:
- Bicycle Falls: Cyclists, especially in urban areas, are at risk of scraping their faces if they fall off their bikes, either due to collisions or losing balance.
- Motor Vehicle Collisions: Passengers in cars may suffer facial scrapings from airbag deployment or impact with parts of the vehicle during an accident
What Are The Time Limits to Claim Facial Scar Compensation in UK?
The time limits for filing a facial scarring claim can vary depending on the type of injury and the specifics of the case. Generally, these limits are set by the statute of limitations, which determines the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated or claim can be filled. Here are some common scenarios:
Personal Injury Claims Including Work Accident Claims:
- In most cases, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to make a personal injury claim or work accident claim.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Claims:
- If you are making a facial scarring claim through a body like the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) in the UK, the time limit is often different. For instance, CICA requires that claims be made within 2 years of the incident date or reporting it to police.
- This period can be extended in exceptional circumstances, especially if the victim was a minor at the time of the incident or if there were other compelling reasons for the delay.
Special Circumstances for Minors:
- If the injured party was a minor (under 18) at the time of the incident, the time limit for filing a claim with the CICA usually doesn’t start until they turn 18. They would then typically have until their 20th birthday to make a facial scarring claim.
The Importance of Pursuing a Facial Scar Compensation Claim
Deciding to pursue a facial scar compensation claim is a significant step in affirming that what happened to you matters and has consequences. Facial scars can be a constant reminder of a traumatic moment in your life, potentially altering your interactions in social settings and your professional life. These facial scars often serve as a persistent reminder of a distressing period in your life, impacting how you perceive yourself and how you believe others see you. This can profoundly affect your self-esteem, your social interactions, and your professional aspirations. The process of claiming compensation is not just about the monetary aspect; it’s a step towards regaining a sense of control, seeking justice, and starting a process that acknowledges and addresses both the visible and invisible scars.
Pursuing a facial scarring claim can also serve as a step towards closure. It allows for the recognition of the pain and suffering caused by the incident. Facial scarring from an assault or incident can be a challenging, but it’s important to know that there are paths available for you to seek justice and support. Consult with a legal professional who understands the nuances of such claims to guide you through this journey.
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-year for making 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.
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.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Basic Eligibility Requirements:
You need to meet some basic requirements before you can claim compensation from CICA
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 won’t able to secure any compensation.
How We Can Help With CICA Claim?
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.
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 form CICA scheme.
Animal Attack / Dog Bite: You can’t claim for any animal attack or bog 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We are here to help!
If you, a friend or a family member has suffered physical or psychological injuries as a result of a violent crime, it may be possible to apply to the CICA for compensation.
“The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), is a government organisation which provides compensation for victims of violent crime in England, Wales, and Scotland. We represent victims of violent crime to get compensation from CICA.”