If you want to claim compensation for property that has been damaged or stolen you should keep a record of the costs of repairing or replacing your property. Also keep any receipts, estimates or any other documents relating to your property.
If you have been injured and want to claim compensation you should keep a record of any extra expenses that you have incurred, for example medical expenses or loss of earnings. Also you will need to keep a note of any income that you have received as a result of the offence for example social security benefits.
Compensation from the offender
If the offender is convicted in a criminal court then the court may order the offender to pay compensation to you for any injury, loss or damage which you may have suffered because of the offence. You can't apply for this compensation yourself.
It is important that you tell the police that you would like to receive compensation. They will then give you a form on which you should record accurate details of your losses. Whether or not the offender is convicted in the criminal courts, you can sue the offender for damages in a civil court.
You can find out more about this from your local Citizen's Advice Bureau (see http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/ ) or from your solicitor.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
If you have been injured as a result of a violent crime, you may be entitled to compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. You can apply for this whether the offender has been caught or not. For more information about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority you can visit their web site at: http://www.cica.gov.uk/
You do not need legal advice or representation to apply for compensation but if you feel you need assistance you can obtain advice from
- the Citizen's Advice Bureau (http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/ ) or
- Victim Support (http://www.victimsupport.com/).
There is a leaflet available that explains more about this scheme. The leaflet "Victims of Crimes of Violence, a guide to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme" is available from the police, Victim Support, or by contacting:-
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority,
Tay House,
300 Bath Street,
Glasgow G2 4JR
Victims of uninsured and untraced drivers
If you suffer injury, loss or damage to property as a result of a road traffic incident involving a motor vehicle and the driver is not insured, compensation may be available for personal injury and damage to property from the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
To claim you need to contact:-
Motor Insurers' Bureau
Linford Wood House
6-12 Capital Drive
Linford Wood
Milton Keynes MK14 6XT
Tel: 01908 830001
Web: http://www.mib.org.uk/
Please Note: You cannot get compensation for the same thing from public funds twice. Therefore, if you succeed in getting compensation from a criminal court, the Criminal Injuries Board and/or the Motor Insurers' Bureau then the award may be reduced to avoid double payment.
