Criminal Injury

Any injury you sustain while a crime is being committed, or injury you sustain whilst assisting the police after the commission of a crime may entitle you to a compensation award as a victim of the crime.

> Grounds for claiming criminal injury compensation:

• If you have a close relationship with a victim of a violent crime that occurred within the last 2 years.
• If a parent, child or spouse has died as result of a violent crime that occurred within the last 2 years.
• If you were present at the scene of the crime, or were involved immediately afterwards, and as a result suffered psychological harm.
• If you suffered physical or psychological harm as a victim of a crime that occurred within the last 2 years.

> Exceptions:

• If the crime took place more than 2 years ago.
• If the injury or injuries you suffered were minor (i.e. mild bruising)
• If the crime took place outside England, Wales or Scotland.
• If you were injured in a road traffic accident (this is covered under accident compensation law), unless the vehicle was used to deliberately harm you.