Assault Compensation Claims — No Win, No Fee
Last reviewed: September 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
If you were physically or psychologically injured in an assault, you may be able to claim through a civil claim, an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), or sometimes a claim against an employer who failed to protect you from a foreseeable risk of violence. We can advise on the best route for your circumstances.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- Compensation may be available via a civil claim, a CICA application, or both
- CICA claims do not require the offender to be identified, prosecuted or convicted
- A workplace assault may also found a separate claim against your employer
- Both physical and psychological injury from an assault are compensatable
- We will advise honestly on the most realistic route to recovering compensation
Your Options After an Assault
Victims of assault often have more than one potential route to compensation, and the right approach depends on your individual circumstances:
- A civil claim against the attacker — a personal injury claim for trespass to the person (assault and battery), which can succeed even without a criminal conviction, though its practical value depends on the attacker having the means to pay
- A CICA application — compensation from public funds under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, which does not depend on the offender being identified, prosecuted or having any money
- A claim against a third party — for example an employer who failed to protect you from a foreseeable risk of violence at work, or an occupier or venue that failed to provide adequate security where an assault was reasonably foreseeable
We assess which of these routes — or combination of routes — offers you the best realistic prospect of fair compensation.
Assault at Work
Employers in roles with a known or foreseeable risk of violence — retail, healthcare, security, transport, social care and others — have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect staff, such as adequate risk assessment, training, staffing levels, security measures and lone-working policies. Where an employer failed to take reasonable steps and this contributed to you being assaulted at work, you may have a claim against your employer in addition to a CICA application against the fund.
Evidence in Assault Claims
- The police crime reference number and any statement you gave to the police
- Medical records documenting your physical and psychological injuries
- Photographs of any visible injuries, taken as soon as possible
- Witness details and statements
- CCTV footage, requested promptly before it may be deleted
- For workplace assaults: risk assessments, incident reports and any history of similar incidents at the same location
What Compensation Can Cover
Compensation reflects the physical injury suffered, the psychological impact of the assault — which can be significant even where physical injuries are relatively minor — and financial losses such as lost earnings, medical or therapy costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Typical Compensation Amounts
The figures below are indicative brackets for the injury itself (general damages), based on the Judicial College Guidelines used by courts and insurers in England and Wales. Financial losses such as lost earnings, treatment costs and care (special damages) are claimed in addition, and in serious cases often exceed the injury award.
| Injury | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Moderate psychological injury | c. £5,500–£19,000 |
| Moderate neck/soft tissue injury (up to ~2 years) | c. £2,300–£12,900 |
| Simple arm or wrist fracture | c. £6,000–£16,000 |
| Minor head injury (no lasting brain damage) | c. £2,500–£15,500 |
These brackets are a guide only — the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injury, your prognosis and your financial losses. We cannot promise or predict a specific outcome. See our full guide to compensation amounts or contact us for a free assessment of your claim.
No Win, No Fee Assault Claims
Where a civil claim against an identifiable, solvent defendant is appropriate, we can act under a Conditional Fee Agreement. If the claim fails, you pay nothing. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation. CICA applications are subject to the Scheme's own rules on costs, which we will explain clearly at the outset.