Criminal injuries sustained overseas
We just wanted to say thank you. We will never be able to repay you or express how grateful we are to you for all the support and help. There would have been no one in the world that we would have had in preference to you to act for us.
John, Newcastle Upon Tyne
As part of the International Travel and Foreign Injury Department, Alexander Harris represents clients who have been the victim of violent crime abroad. The team are handling a number of foreign criminal injury cases involving assaults that have taken place in various countries around the World including Cyprus, Switzerland and Australia.
Generally under the UK Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) Scheme, cases can only be brought for injuries suffered in Great Britain. For criminal injuries that are suffered anywhere else, it is necessary to check whether the country has its own version of a Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and if so, what the particular requirements of that Scheme are.
In general the requirements are that co-operation must have been given with the Police. The Police must have been involved at some stage and there must be evidence that the injuries suffered were as a result of a violent crime. Some Schemes have set tariffs for compensation that is awarded and some have a minimum requirement in relation to the injuries that must have been suffered. Usually the Schemes will pay out for the injuries that people have suffered together with some limited expenses. However expenses vary between different Schemes as to whether they pay out for loss of earnings, travelling expenses and medical expenses.
The limitation periods for the Schemes often vary and therefore it is very important that should somebody consider they have a potential foreign CICA claim, that they contact a Solicitor for advice as soon as possible.
Sometimes when pursuing a foreign CICA case, it is necessary to contact or appoint a local Solicitor to liaise directly with the local Compensation Scheme and if necessary translate documents and some foreign CICA Schemes provide provision for legal costs to be paid, although each Scheme is different.
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