How much compensation could I receive from the CICA scheme?

At a glance

• CICA compensation typically ranges from £1,000 to £250,000 per injury, with a £500,000 overall cap.
• Awards are based on a fixed tariff, not negotiated like standard personal injury claims.
• The tariff links each injury to a set payment amount depending on severity and recovery time.
• You might be able to claim extra payments for loss of earnings and special expenses.
• There is no average payout – your compensation depends on your specific injuries and evidence.
• Psychological injuries like PTSD are included, but must be clinically diagnosed.
• If your award seems too low, you can request a review or appeal.

If you’re thinking about making a claim, one of the first questions is simple. How much compensation could you receive?

While there is no single answer that applies to everyone, CICA compensation ranges from £1,000 to £500,000 in total. Individual injury payments typically fall between £1,000 and £250,000 under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme tariff.

Your final amount depends on the type of injury, how serious it is, how long symptoms last and whether there’s any lasting impact on your life.

On top of the tariff award, you may also qualify for additional payments, such as loss of earnings or certain special expenses.

How the CICA tariff works

CICA doesn’t calculate compensation in the same way as a standard personal injury claim. 

Instead, it uses a fixed tariff of injuries set out in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. Each injury is matched to a category, and that category has a set payment value.

In practice, this means:

• Your injury is matched to a tariff description
• The severity and duration are considered
• A fixed amount is applied

The tariff starts at £1,000 for lower-level injuries and goes up to £250,000 for the most serious single injuries.

The overall cap of £500,000 applies once multiple injuries and additional payments are included.

This structure makes medical evidence especially important. If an injury is placed in the wrong category, or the long-term impact isn’t fully shown, your award may be lower than it should be.

That’s why getting the details right from the start can make a real difference.

Example CICA awards by injury type

The examples below are illustrative only. They are not guaranteed outcomes. The exact award depends on the specific medical evidence relating to your injuries and the tariff category CICA applies:

CICA compensation for PTSD — what you could receive

PTSD and other qualifying psychological injuries are recognised under the scheme, but CICA will not usually award compensation for stress or upset alone. 

The condition must be clinically recognised and supported by appropriate evidence. The official guidance says a mental injury must be confirmed by the diagnosis or prognosis of a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.

Under the current tariff, awards are based on how long symptoms last and how severe they are:

• £1,000 for a disabling mental injury lasting 6 weeks or more up to 28 weeks
• £2,400 for a disabling mental injury lasting 28 weeks or more up to 2 years
• £6,200 for a disabling mental injury lasting 2 years or more up to 5 years
• £13,500 for a disabling mental injury lasting 5 years or more but not permanent
• £19,000 for a permanent, moderately disabling mental injury
• £27,000 for a permanent, seriously disabling mental injury  

So, how much you can receive depends on the medical evidence obtained in support of your claim, how long symptoms last and how they affect your daily life.

Psychological injuries can also be claimed alongside physical injuries, although special rules apply when more than one injury is involved.

What else can you claim beyond the tariff?

CICA compensation amounts aren’t always limited to the injury tariff alone. In some cases, extra payments may also be available. The two main extras are:

• Loss of earnings if your injury leaves you with no or very limited capacity for paid work for more than 28 full weeks.
• Special expenses for certain necessary costs linked to a serious injury, for example the cost of care with a victim’s bodily functions or meal preparation.

These payments are additional to the tariff award, not a replacement for it. That said, they have their own eligibility rules and strict evidence requirements.  

Why the amount CICA offers might not be the right amount

One of the most common issues in criminal injuries compensation amounts is underassessment of compensation. CICA handles a high volume of applications and makes decisions based on the documents and evidence available. If the medical evidence is incomplete, or if one injury is mistakenly ranked too low, the offer may not reflect the full picture.

There is also a separate rule for multiple injuries. In accordance with the terms of the CICA scheme, you are only entitled to receive an award of compensation for three qualifying injuries. If you suffer more than one qualifying injury, CICA usually applies:

• 100% of the highest-value injury
• 30% of the second highest
• 15% of the third highest

Additional injuries beyond this are not compensated separately.

This can make the final figure lower than people expect, especially where there are several injuries or a mix of physical and psychological harm.

If your offer feels too low, you don’t have to accept it straight away. You can ask for a review, and if needed, take the case to an independent tribunal.

Get help with your CICA claim

Not sure what your claim could be worth? We’re here to help.

At Injury Lawyers 4u, we can connect you with a solicitor who understands how CICA claims work and what evidence makes a difference.

We can:

• Assess your injuries against the correct CICA tariff band
• Help gather the medical evidence needed to support your claim
• Check whether you are entitled to additional payments like loss of earnings or special expenses
• Challenge a decision through review or appeal if necessary

Getting early advice can make a difference to how your claim is valued. Get in touch with us to begin.

CICA claim compensation FAQs

Is there an average CICA payout?

No, there isn’t a true average. CICA uses a fixed tariff system, so compensation depends on your specific injuries, how serious they are and how long they last. Two people with different injuries, or even similar injuries with different outcomes, may receive different amounts.

What is the minimum and maximum CICA award?

The minimum tariff award is £1,000 for qualifying injuries. The maximum for a single injury is £250,000. There is also an overall cap of £500,000, which includes multiple injuries and any additional payments such as loss of earnings or special expenses.

Can I claim for more than one injury?

Yes, you can claim for multiple injuries. However, CICA applies a set formula, only awarding compensation for a maximum of three injuries. It pays 100% of the highest-valued injury, 30% of the second and 15% of the third highest valued injuries. This can affect the total compensation, especially in more complex cases.

How long does a CICA claim take?

Most CICA claims take between 12 and 24 months to resolve. However, timelines can be longer if medical evidence is still being gathered, if injuries are complex or if the claim goes through a review or tribunal appeal process.