CICA Calculator
Estimate the compensation award you could receive from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Injury Compensation Estimator
Select up to three of the most serious injuries you sustained to calculate an estimate of your award. The calculation is based on the CICA tariff scheme rules.
Total Estimated Compensation
Injury 1 Award
Injury 2 Award
Injury 3 Award
| Injury | Tariff Value | Percentage Applied | Calculated Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| – | £0 | – | £0 |
| – | £0 | – | £0 |
| – | £0 | – | £0 |
Understanding the CICA Calculator and Your Claim
Navigating the aftermath of a violent crime is incredibly challenging. This guide is designed to help you understand the compensation process and how to use our cica calculator to get an initial estimate of the award you may be entitled to. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government body that provides compensation to blameless victims of violent crime in Great Britain.
What is a CICA Calculator?
A cica calculator is a digital tool designed to estimate the financial compensation a person might receive under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. It simplifies the complex tariff system used by the CICA, which assigns specific monetary values to different types of injuries. By selecting the injuries sustained, a user can see a potential award calculated based on the scheme’s rules for multiple injuries. This tool is for estimation purposes only and does not constitute a formal offer or guarantee of payment.
Who Should Use It?
Anyone who has been a blameless victim of a violent crime in England, Scotland, or Wales and has sustained a physical or mental injury may find this cica calculator useful. It’s particularly helpful for those who have reported the incident to the police and are considering making a formal application to the CICA. It provides a preliminary financial insight before embarking on the official claims process.
Common Misconceptions
A primary misconception is that the cica calculator’s estimate is final. The CICA makes the final decision based on a thorough review of medical evidence and the specific circumstances of the case. Another common error is believing any injury will qualify; however, the scheme has a minimum award threshold (currently £1,000), and minor injuries may not be eligible. Furthermore, an applicant’s own conduct or criminal record can lead to a reduction or refusal of an award.
CICA Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The CICA scheme has a specific, tiered formula for calculating compensation for multiple injuries. It is not a simple sum of all injuries. The goal is to compensate for the overall effect of the incident, with the most severe injury being the primary focus. Our cica calculator automates this official formula.
The step-by-step calculation is as follows:
- Identify the Tariff Value: Each injury is assigned a value from the official CICA Tariff.
- Rank the Injuries: The injuries are ranked from most to least severe based on their tariff value.
- Apply the Percentage Rule:
- The most severe injury is awarded 100% of its tariff value.
- The second most severe injury is awarded 30% of its tariff value.
- The third most severe injury is awarded 15% of its tariff value.
- No payment is made for a fourth or any subsequent injuries.
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injury 1 (Most Severe) | The injury with the highest tariff value. | British Pounds (£) | £1,000 – £44,000+ |
| Injury 2 (Second Severe) | The injury with the second-highest tariff value. | British Pounds (£) | £1,000 – £22,000+ |
| Injury 3 (Third Severe) | The injury with the third-highest tariff value. | British Pounds (£) | £1,000 – £13,500+ |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Assault with Multiple Fractures
An individual is assaulted and sustains a displaced fracture of the jaw (£6,200), a fracture of the cheekbone (£2,400), and the loss of two front teeth (£1,500). Using the cica calculator would show:
- Injury 1 (Jaw): 100% of £6,200 = £6,200
- Injury 2 (Cheekbone): 30% of £2,400 = £720
- Injury 3 (Teeth): 15% of £1,500 = £225
- Total Estimated Award: £6,200 + £720 + £225 = £7,145
This shows how the compensation focuses on the most severe injury, with smaller additions for the others.
Example 2: Leg Injury and Lacerations
A victim suffers a serious leg fracture requiring surgery (£11,000) and multiple deep facial lacerations resulting in permanent minor scarring (£1,500). The cica calculator would process this as:
- Injury 1 (Leg Fracture): 100% of £11,000 = £11,000
- Injury 2 (Lacerations): 30% of £1,500 = £450
- Injury 3: Not applicable
- Total Estimated Award: £11,000 + £450 = £11,450
How to Use This CICA Calculator
Our cica calculator is designed for ease of use and clarity.
- Select Your Injuries: Use the three dropdown menus provided. Start by selecting your most severe injury in the first box, followed by the second and third most severe in the subsequent boxes.
- View Real-Time Results: The “Total Estimated Compensation” and the breakdown figures update automatically as you make selections.
- Analyse the Breakdown: The table and chart below the main result show exactly how the total was calculated, displaying the tariff value for each injury and the percentage applied.
- Reset or Copy: Use the “Reset” button to clear all inputs and start again. Use the “Copy Results” button to save a summary of the estimate to your clipboard.
When reading the results, remember this is an estimate to provide a general idea of the award. The final amount from the CICA may differ based on detailed medical reports and a full assessment. For those seeking professional help, a criminal injury solicitor can provide tailored advice.
Key Factors That Affect CICA Results
Several factors beyond the injury tariff itself can significantly influence the outcome of a CICA claim. It’s crucial to understand these when using a cica calculator.
- Reporting to the Police: You must have reported the crime to the police as soon as reasonably practicable. Delays can jeopardise a claim.
- Cooperation: You must cooperate fully with the police and the CICA. Failure to do so can result in a reduced or rejected award.
- Applicant’s Criminal Record: Unspent criminal convictions will likely lead to a reduction in the award and can result in a complete refusal.
- Applicant’s Conduct: If your behaviour before, during, or after the incident is deemed to have contributed to the situation (e.g., you provoked the violence), your award can be reduced.
- Time Limits: Applications must usually be made within two years of the incident. There are very limited exceptions to this rule. A claim time limit calculator can help determine your specific deadline.
- Medical Evidence: The CICA relies heavily on medical evidence to confirm the nature and severity of injuries. The quality and detail of this evidence are paramount.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the cica calculator estimate guaranteed?
No. The calculator provides an estimate based on the public tariff. The CICA makes the final decision based on a full review of your case, including medical reports and police evidence.
2. What if my injury isn’t listed in the cica calculator?
Our calculator contains a wide range of common injuries. If yours is not listed, you can select the closest equivalent or refer to the full CICA tariff document on the GOV.UK website. The scheme is extensive, and a CICA tariff guide can be a useful resource.
3. Can I claim for more than three injuries?
No. The CICA scheme explicitly limits compensation to a maximum of three injuries, calculated using the 100%/30%/15% formula. Even if you sustained more than three, they will not be included in the calculation.
4. Can I claim for loss of earnings?
Yes, but it is separate from the injury award calculated here. You can claim for loss of earnings if you were unable to work for more than 28 weeks as a direct result of your injury. This is a complex calculation and is not included in this basic cica calculator.
5. What is the two-year time limit?
You must submit your application to the CICA within two years of the date of the incident. This deadline is strict, though exceptions can be made in rare circumstances, such as for historical child abuse cases where the victim could not report it sooner.
6. Does a criminal conviction affect my claim?
Yes, significantly. The CICA will check for unspent convictions. An award will be reduced or withheld based on the severity and relevance of the conviction. Honesty about your record is essential. A criminal record claim check tool could provide more insight.
7. Do I need a solicitor to use the cica calculator or make a claim?
No, you do not need a solicitor for either. The application process is designed to be accessible to individuals. However, for complex cases, legal advice can be beneficial to ensure your claim is presented effectively. More details can be found on our free legal advice page.
8. What if I was partly to blame?
If your own conduct contributed to the incident, the CICA can reduce your award. This includes actions like provocation or involvement in illegal activities at the time. The amount of reduction depends on the circumstances.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
- Full Guide to the CICA Application Process – A step-by-step walkthrough of how to file your claim from start to finish.
- Loss of Earnings Calculator – An advanced tool to help estimate payments for time off work due to criminal injury.
- Understanding the CICA Tariff in Detail – An in-depth look at the official injury list and how values are assigned.