By Danielle Garner. Last Updated 29th May 2024. Welcome to our article about the benefits that sexual assault solicitors can bring to the process of claiming compensation. The following sections will discuss how to locate a solicitor with experience in the subject you require. It will also describe some elements of claiming through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
This article will provide information about your eligibility to claim compensation following a sexual assault. Read on to learn more about this topic. Alternatively, you can speak to our advisers by using the contact details below.
If they feel your claim is valid, they may be able to put you in touch with one of the solicitors on our panel, who may be able to help you begin the claims process. Contact us by:
- Speaking to an adviser via the chat box below
- Reaching out to us using the phone number above
- Filling in the contact form
Choose A Section
- A Guide To Using Sexual Assault Solicitors To Claim Compensation
- How Could Sexual Assault Solicitors Help You?
- Why Make A Criminal Injury Claim Using Our Panel Of No Win No Fee Sexual Assault Solicitors?
- When Are You Eligible To Make Claims Through The CICA?
- What Compensation Could A Sexual Assault Solicitor Get You?
- What Do You Need To Receive Compensation Through The CICA?
- Learn More About How To Use Sexual Assault Solicitors
A Guide To Using Sexual Assault Solicitors To Claim Compensation
You may be eligible to claim compensation if you’ve been the victim of a violent crime, such as domestic sexual abuse or school sexual abuse. Sexual assault solicitors have the experience and knowledge to help you navigate the legal processes involved. For example, a lawyer could help you determine which method of claiming you are eligible to pursue.
There are three avenues to make a criminal injuries claim. For example, you may be able to claim against the perpetrator directly, but only if you know their identity and they have the finances to pay compensation. Second, you may be able to claim against a vicariously liable third party if an organisation breached the duty of care that they owed you, resulting in you being assaulted.
Lastly, if neither of those options is available, you may be able to apply for compensation through the CICA. This executive agency was created to provide a way for the victims of violent crime to apply for compensation. It is this method we will describe in further detail.
Read on to find out more about how to find sexual abuse claims solicitors who may be able to assist with your potential claim.
How Could Sexual Assault Solicitors Help You?
While it isn’t necessary to retain the services of a lawyer to file a claim, sexual assault solicitors can bring various benefits to the process. For example, a solicitor can:
- Help you collect evidence
- Take witness statements
- Present and build your case
It’s important to note that you do not have to work with a solicitor located physically nearby. Advances in technology mean that a lawyer might be able to handle your claim from elsewhere in the country. This means you can be more selective and find sexual assault solicitors who specialise in the required area of law and who will meet your needs. For example, you could find a solicitor by:
- Word of mouth
- Advertisements
- Online reviews
Our advisers may be able to put you in touch with one of the solicitors on our panel. Get in touch with our team to discuss sexual assault or sexual abuse claims.
Why Make A Criminal Injury Claim Using Our Panel Of No Win No Fee Sexual Assault Solicitors?
If you are put in contact with one of the sexual assault solicitors on our panel, they may be able to offer you a No Win No Fee agreement. Specifically, they may offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). The terms of this kind of No Win No Fee agreement mean that you generally don’t have to pay for the solicitor’s services if your claim fails.
Instead, a CFA means you usually only have to pay a solicitor if your claim succeeds. If this happens, they would take a success fee from your compensation. This fee is capped legally.
Contact our advisers if you have questions about claiming violent crime compensation. They can walk you through the information that is most relevant to your specific circumstances.
When Are You Eligible To Make Claims Through The CICA?
To claim through the CICA, the incident you experienced must meet certain eligibility requirements, which can include:
- The incident must have occurred in England, Scotland, Wales, or a relevant incident location.
- The incident must meet the CICA’s definition of a crime of violence, which includes sexual assault.
- The incident must have been reported to the police as soon as possible.
It may be worth discussing these eligibility requirements with our advisers. This is because extenuating circumstances may have applied that affected when you were able to report the incident to the police. For instance, this could make it possible to claim for sexual abuse as a child even if this incident was not reported immediately after the incident.
Also, our advisers can talk to you about the CICA’s time limits. You must begin your claim within two years of reporting the crime to the police. Again, however, extenuating circumstances may be relevant to your potential claim. Contact our team if you would like to speak to someone about historical abuse compensation.
What Compensation Could A Sexual Assault Solicitor Get You?
A sexual assault solicitor can help you make a compensation claim through the CICA. If your claim is successful, the compensation will be calculated using the tariff of injuries found in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. These are fixed amounts.
Additionally, you can claim for up to three injuries from the main tariff. However, claims are subject to the multiple injuries formula. This means that you’ll be awarded:
- 100% of the tariff amount for the highest-valued injury.
- 30% of the tariff for the second highest-valued injury (or one of equal value to the first).
- 15% of the tariff for an injury that is third or equal in value.
There are further injury payments that are not subject to this formula that you could qualify for. You could receive a payment in addition to the tariff amount to address these further injuries that occurred in the incident. These include:
- Losing a foetus.
- Becoming pregnant.
- Contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Our table below contains a few of the tariffs that could be relevant to a sexual assault claim. Additionally, in the top row, we’ve included a figure that shows you how compensation could be awarded for special expenses in addition to the injury. This figure is not from the tariff of injuries.
| Criminal Injury or Harm | CICA Tariff | Detailed Information |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual Abuse plus Special Expenses | Up to £500,000 | Compensation may include loss of earnings and other expenses. |
| Penile Penetration of Mouth, Vagina or Mouth (Any Age) | £44,000 | Leads to mental illness that is permanent, severe and disabling as well as causing severe internal injuries. |
| Penile Penetration of Mouth, Vagina or Mouth (Adult/Child) | £33,000 | Leads to mental illness that is permanent, moderate and disabling as well as causing severe internal injuries. |
| Penile Penetration of Mouth, Vagina or Mouth (Any Age) | £27,000 | Leads to mental illness that is permanent, severe and disabling. |
| Penile Penetration of Mouth, Vagina or Mouth (Any Age) | £22,000 | Leads to mental illness that is permanent, moderate and disabling. |
| Penile Penetration of Mouth, Vagina or Mouth (Any Age) | £13,500 | Incidents that involved two or more attackers. |
| Penile Penetration of Mouth, Vagina or Mouth (Any Age) | £11,000 | This tariff applies when one attacker was involved in the incident. |
| Sexual Assault (Any Age) | £27,000 | Leads to mental illness that is permanent, severe and disabling. |
| Sexual Assault (Any Age) | £22,000 | Leads to mental illness that is permanent, moderate and disabling. |
| Sexual Assault (Any Age) | £22,000 | Serious internal bodily injuries have occurred. |
Sexual Assault Compensation Payouts – Special Expenses
If a sexual assault lawyer helps with your claim, they could also ensure that you receive any special expenses and loss of earning payments you could be eligible for.
A special expenses payment could be awarded to cover necessary and reasonable costs that are a direct result of sexual abuse. Examples of special expenses include:
- Supervision costs to avoid a danger to yourself or someone else.
- Replacement of relied-on physical aids if they were broken in the incident, such as a hearing aid or walking stick.
- Care costs related to your bodily functions or the preparation of food.
If the incident left you unable to work, you could also receive a payment for loss of earnings. There are specific requirements that you must meet in order to qualify for a payment for loss of earnings and special expenses.
Speak to an advisor to discuss how a solicitor for sexual assault claims could help support your case. One of our team members can also advise you on how much compensation you could be awarded, including for the long term effects of sexual abuse.
What Do You Need To Receive Compensation Through The CICA?
The CICA will require certain pieces of evidence in order for you to begin a claim through their services. For instance, they may ask to see:
- Evidence that you meet their residency requirements
- Financial evidence about any special expenses you have incurred
- Medical records about the injuries you sustained
- A police reference number
A member of our team can speak with you about the evidence you might need to provide in a claim. Speak with a member of our team today for free legal advice.
Contact Us For Free 24/7 To See If You Could Make A Compensation Claim For Sexual Assault
If you want to speak to someone about your potential claim, you can contact our advisers for a free consultation. During this discussion, you can ask any questions you may have about the best way to proceed with a claim for sexual assault at work or historical sexual abuse by a parent.
Furthermore, our advisers may be able to connect you with one of the sexual assault solicitors on our panel. You can contact us by:
- Speaking to an adviser via the chat box below
- Reaching out to us using the phone number above
- Filling in the contact form
Learn More About How To Use Sexual Assault Solicitors
Other sexual abuse guides that may help:
Sexual Abuse By Your Mother – How To Claim Compensation
Can I Make A Claim For Sexual Abuse By My Father?
How Much Can I Claim For Sibling Sexual Abuse?
Further resources that contain related information:
After Rape And Sexual Assault – NHS resource about the help you can seek after experiencing rape or sexual assault
Rape Crisis – Charity working to end sexual violence and abuse
Sexual Offences – Information from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) about charging an individual with a sexual offence
Thank you for reading this article about how sexual assault solicitors could help you claim compensation for injuries caused by a violent crime. Speak to our advisers if you have further questions by using the details provided.
Writer Morgan Fey
Publisher Fern Scrimshaw
