Liam Goggin
Partner, Head of Abuse Claims
View Profile
English
For free legal advice call our Criminal Injury Compensation Claims Solicitors and we will help you. Ask us if we can deal with your claim on a No Win, No Fee basis.
We're rated‘Excellent’
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is a government funded scheme set up to compensate blameless victims of violent crime. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) administer these rules and make the initial decisions in all claims. Payment will never fully compensate you for the abuse you suffered, but it's often vital recognition of what happened.
The CICA often represents the only route for many to claim compensation, when there is no other person or organisation to bring a civil claim against.
The long-term psychological and physical impact of abuse can be devastating, but our specialist Abuse Solicitors can guide you through the process of making a claim as well as offering advice to access support and rehabilitation services.
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about making a criminal injuries claim, so contact us for a free consultation.
We're rated‘Excellent’At Simpson Millar we want to help you. We are proud of our track record and the comments from our clients which is at the end of the day why we do the work we do.
Our expert team of Abuse Solicitors understand this extremely complex area of law and can make the process as stress-free as possible
We’ll always talk to you in clear, straightforward language, and we won’t use complex legal jargon
We’re members of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL) and subscribe to its code of conduct
We’ll always be upfront about your legal costs and will talk you through a No Win, No Fee agreement.
Watch our video which explains more about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and how we can help you make a claim using this service.
You can make a claim under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme if you have suffered abuse or violence in England, Scotland or Wales.
Northern Ireland has its own Scheme, as do many Countries and our Specialist Solicitors would be happy to advise you whether you have a claim.
The rules of the Scheme and the value of compensation awarded are set by Parliament and are calculated by reference to a tariff of injuries. The Scheme can award for the acts of abuse and/or the psychological damage caused by the abuse.
To make a Criminal Injury Compensation claim, you must have reported the abuse to the police, but there’s no need for a conviction. The award can give you invaluable recognition that a crime was committed, even if the abuser was never punished.
But the rules around whether someone is eligible for compensation under the CICA Scheme can be quite complex. That’s why it’s important to speak to a specialist Abuse Solicitor before submitting an application as they can advise you whether you are eligible under the Scheme.
If you have previously been denied compensation by the CICA under the “same roof rule”. The CICA may use their discretion to consider your application again and you should contact us if this is the case as we may be able to help.
Simpson Millar5 stars
Great company
Nathalie Swanick is very caring, open & honest. She handled my case with sensitivity & professionally but also with the human touch. I didn't feel I was just a case number but felt listened to.
Belinda Edwards
Simpson MillarProfessional, diligent and considerate
To leave a review for Simpson Millar is no easy task. The instructions given to their team were from events that happened decades ago. Yet with great patience and professionalism I was afforded the op...
H. Stewart
Simpson MillarJust a note to say thank you to…
Just a note to say thank you to Nathalie !! You’ve been absolutely amazing, such a great support and you always show so much compassion. You are an expert in your field and it is very obvious that you...
Becky
Simpson Millar5 star service.
I’ve been working with Simpson Millar for 5 years on what has honestly has been an emotional roller coaster of a case. Both my solicitors Liam and especially Kate hall have been absolutely fantastic....
Mae Emilie
Simpson MillarNatalie Swanwick
Natalie has been working with claims for a while now, and she has been excellent in keeping me update and explaining thing so I can have a complete fully understanding of what is happening and going...
Karla Thomas
Simpson MillarNatalie Swanwick represented me in my…
Natalie Swanwick represented me in my claim for damages against a local authority from the start of her taking my case until the settlement she acted in a very professional but empathic and at times s...
Jue wilson
Simpson MillarI would like to thank tamsin Jacob and…
I would like to thank tamsin Jacob and keir for the support and hard work they put in to help me with my case I was always kept upto date with the progress, I would definitely recommend them to anyo...
Mark Oleary
If your circumstances have changed since you received an award of compensation from the CICA you may be able to re-open your case. the CICA may re-open a claim where there has been a material change in the medical condition of an applicant. It may be that your mental health has deteriorated since you accepted the award or you have not recovered in line with a diagnosis you have received. Please contact us if you feel this has happened to you and one of our Abuse Solicitors will be able to help.
You might have already made a CICA claim yourself which has been refused, or you are not happy with the amount the CICA have awarded. If so, you can send an application to review the decision to the CICA. This needs to be sent within 56 days of the date of the CICA’s original decision.
If you then disagree with the response to the application, you can then appeal the decision to the First-tier Tribunal. You must appeal the decision within 90 days from the date of the review decision.
If you need any help with reviewing the decision or appealing, then one of our Abuse Solicitors will be able to help.
If the abuse occurred in childhood, you have until your 21st birthday to issue court proceedings in order to bring a claim for the abuse you suffered within time.
Importantly, it is well recognised that it often takes survivors of abuse a long time to talk about what happened to them. In some circumstances, the court can be persuaded to allow claims to proceed out of time.
Even if the abuse occurred many years ago, you may still be able to bring a claim and we can advise you whether we think we can persuade the court to allow your case to proceed out of time.
We could deal with your claim on a No Win, No Fee basis - just ask us for details. If you have a Legal Expenses Insurance policy, you could also use this. These policies are usually bought as an addition to a home or motor insurance policy.
We can talk you through all your options and give you advice on which one is best for you.
When the abuse occurred there may also have been a breach of your human rights and a claim should be brought within one year of the breach.
You could make a criminal injuries claim for the abuse you have suffered if you have reported the abuse to the police.
Hertfordshire County Council has agreed to conduct a detailed review of how it assesses children with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), following a challenge from a father who disagreed with the council's decision not to assess his child. The review will closely examine how these assessments are done to find and fix any problems. This action follows recent reports and concerns about how councils across the country are handling similar assessments, often influenced by budget issues. This review is seen as a positive step towards improving support for children who need extra help.
We are excited to announce that Simpson Millar has acquired NhLex Ltd and its trading name Novum Law
Survivors of sexual abuse at York's prestigious Queen Ethelburga’s School, where child protection officer Alexander Charles Ralls committed numerous offenses, are urged to seek support. Ralls, convicted on various sexual assault charges, abused his position from 2011 to 2015. His conviction follows the jailing of the school’s former owner, Brian Martin, for similar crimes. Simpson Millar’s specialist Abuse Solicitors are assisting victims and encourage others affected to come forward.
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