WHAT CAN I CLAIM FOR?
It has to be appreciated that our civil courts are not concerned with punishing the abuser. That is the function of the criminal courts. Essentially the civil courts will make an award of compensation intended to ensure that you do not suffer financially in addition to any physical and psychological suffering you may have already endured.
How much compensation will I get if my claim is successful?
In successful claims, the amount of compensation paid out will depend partly on how badly you have been abused, but mostly on how the abuse has affected you. This will be different in every case, so two people who have been similarly abused by the same person will very often receive different awards.
What sort of losses can I claim for?
If your claim succeeds, you will receive money to try to compensate you for the abuse you suffered and its effect on your mental state. You will also receive money to compensate you for whatever you have actually lost or will lose because of the abuse. This might include such matters as the cost of any treatment, care provided to you or lost earnings (perhaps because you have had time off work or maybe you missed out on a promotion or your education suffered preventing you from fulfilling your potential).
Can you help me with a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority?
That is one of the matters we will consider with you.
If I have already received money from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, will I have to pay it back?
You will probably have agreed to pay back your award to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority if you make a successful civil claim. Usually the damages in a civil case will be higher than the amount awarded by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, so a claim should still be worthwhile.