During the last 12 months I have recovered damages for victims of abuse from the CICA totalling £6,895,873.04.

This is a staggering figure. I knew we had had a lot of success during the last 12 months but was surprised when I sat down and added up the figures as to how much money we had recovered for abuse victims.

This underlines the importance of instructing a specialist. The CICA system is fraught with potential problems for abuse victims. There are time limits to overcome. There are invariably arguments about causation and the extent to which any loss of earnings claim can be attributed to psychiatric injury following abuse.

You need an expert on your side who is sympathetic and who has extensive experience of dealing with these claims.

We particularly specialise in applying to reopen CICA claims. When you were originally compensated you may not have realised the extent of any psychiatric injury. We often act for clients who were awarded compensation in childhood following abuse without any account being taken of the long term impact from a psychiatric perspective and the effect this has on your ability to work. These claims again are complex and often involve different rules. The claims are dealt with under the CICA scheme which was in place at the time of the original award and as a result the loss of earnings claims are not limited to the present rates of Statutory Sick Pay. They can be valuable claims.

I have recently come across various clients who have wanted to refer cases to us but have representatives already acting. I use the term “representatives” because these people are often not qualified solicitors. Claims will be dealt with by “legal advisors” or “claims handlers”.

I have also come across cases where clients are being charged far more by these “representatives” than you would normally expect to be charged by a solicitor specialising in this area of work.

It is frustrating when you see cases where you know the client should have received far more in compensation than they actually achieved but that once the claim is concluded there is very little you can do to challenge this unless there has been a material change in a client’s position.

My strong advice therefore is that if you have a CICA claim involving abuse you should instruct a specialist in this area in order to maximise the damages recoverable.

How We Can Help

If you have been a victim of crime and believe you may be entitled to compensation through the CICA scheme, our specialist team may be able to assist you. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a confidential discussion about your circumstances. Either call us on 01254 606008, or contact us through our online chat below.