Assault

[AngloScot]

When someone has been assaulted and it has been reported to the police etc, how would they go about claiming for compensation?

[JSB]

You can take legal action. This is best undertaken through a specialist solicitor - some give the first half hour of advice free You can make a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (UK)(Criminal Injuries Compensation Agency in N. Ireland) You can seek a criminal compensation order through the courts - which usually comes about through the police bringing charges and the prosecution understanding the extent of your injuries. If the injuries are serious enough a solicitor is absolutely essential. Remember though that if you claim from an indivdual rather than a scheme and they cannot or will not pay you will spend months and possibly years chasing this down possibly with no satisfactory conclusion.

[emailer]

Go to a solicitor who will tell them what to do next, they will probably be sent to a specialist to assess the injury, and it is an advantage to have been to A+E immediately after an assault (I have successfully claimed after an assault, even though the person who did it was never caught)

[apricot]

You don't need to go to a solicitor, that will cost you money. If in the UK try Citizens Advice. Their advice is free and they will help with Criminal Injuries Compensation (although it does take a long time to come through).

[emailer]

Ref: costing you money to go to a solicitor - it cost me �12 from start to finish, so i wouldn't worry about that!