Our client receives compensation of over £93,000 after we appeal the CICA’s award
Our CICA team is dedicated to pursuing justice and securing the maximum possible compensation for those who have been the victim of violent crime. This success story exemplifies the skill and commitment we bring to each case. Carly Sylvester, a member of our specialist Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) team, achieved an outstanding result by securing over £93,000 CICA compensation for abuse survivor, “M,” who had endured a harrowing childhood sexual assault.
M had suffered abuse at the hands of her friend’s father, and initially applied to the CICA without professional legal representation. She was offered a modest sum of £3,300 by the CICA— an amount that failed to reflect the profound emotional and psychological impact of the crime. The assault had left M struggling with severe mental health challenges, forcing her to leave school at the age of 12 and affecting her ability to maintain stable employment well into adulthood. Feeling the offer was inadequate, M sought the expertise of our specialist CICA compensation team.
Carly Sylvester took on M’s case under our No Win, No Fee arrangement, leveraging her extensive experience with CICA claims to challenge the initial decision. Recognising M’s eligibility for greater compensation, particularly in relation to loss of earnings — a critical component of the CICA scheme in cases where a crime significantly impairs a victim’s ability to work — Carly set out to build a case.
She undertook a careful review of M’s circumstances, collaborating with a psychologist to produce an expert report detailing the long-term impact of the assault on M’s mental health. She also gathered vital evidence from the Department for Work and Pensions and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, to substantiate the claim.
The CICA made a revised offer, but only increased the compensation award to £11,000.
Unwilling to accept this outcome, Carly appealed the decision to the First Tier Tribunal, presenting a compelling argument that M was entitled to further compensation for lost earnings. Drawing upon the psychologist’s expert testimony and additional documentation, Carly demonstrated that M met all necessary criteria under the CICA scheme.
The tribunal was ultimately swayed by Carly’s arguments, and ruled in favour of M, awarding her a total of £93,755 — a dramatic increase from the original offer.
This case highlights the dedication, expertise, and persistence that our CICA team applies to every case we handle.
Our experienced team are here to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. So if you need expert guidance on recovering the maximum CICA compensation for abuse suffered recently, or in the past, then contact us today for confidential and compassionate advice.