Toddler wins criminal injuries pay out
November 16, 2009
Posted by:Jonathan Wheeler
Today's report that the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) had previously refused compensation to a toddler who had been injured by another 3 year old is just typical of that organisation. The CICA argued that because the injuries were inflicted by a child who - due to his age - could not be prosecuted in the criminal courts, the injuries inflicted were not a crime of violence; it therefore did not come within the scope of the scheme. The decision had to be appealed twice before it was pointed out that there was nothing in the scheme's rules that the age of the perpetrator was a relevant consideration. Many of my clients have gone through the arduous process of claiming from the CICA and many of their stories are hard to believe, involving ridiculous refusals and appallingly low offers. The CICA should shake itself up and ensure it's delivering on its obligations to those injured through no fault of their own.