Rejected Manchester bombing CICA claims

Recent statistics have shown that nearly half (44.67%) of applications submitted to the CICA in relation to the 2017 Manchester bombing were rejected.

This means that 331 out of 741 applications have been denied compensation – with 97 cases still currently pending.

Many would be surprised by these statistics, as the rejection rate for claims in relation to the Manchester Arena terror attack are incredibly high. The aim of the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA) is to compensate blameless victims of a violent crime. So why are so many applications being rejected?

The criteria laid out within the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 is notoriously strict, meaning many claims are often rejected on what may seem like a technicality.

Specifically regarding the terror attack following Ariana Grande’s concert, the CICA have pulled up many claims with the following reasoning:

1. The applicant was not considered a direct victim of a violent crime (paragraph 4 of the scheme) – i.e. they were not present at the precise moment the bomb went off.

Despite many victims being psychologically affected by the aftermath of the attack, most do not qualify for an award in the eyes of the CICA as per their scheme. As a result, lawyers have now called on the government not to limit claims to the moment the explosion happened, and instead cover a wider period of time.

2. The applicant’s psychological trauma was ‘insufficient’ and therefore not covered within the CICA’s tariff of injuries.

When it comes to psychological injuries it is incredibly difficult to obtain an award for this due to the specific things the CICA need to be fulfilled. Firstly, an applicant must have been diagnosed by a clinical psychologist/psychiatrist.

They must then be able to provide evidence that they have been receiving treatment (e.g. counselling, CBT therapy etc) for this diagnosis for a number of months.

Considering all that the victims of this terror attack have been through, it seems harsh of the CICA to reject so many claims – especially considering the reasoning provided. Hopefully, those who have been rejected will be able to successfully appeal their decision and receive the compensation they deserve.

Further reading

Criminal Injury (CICA) Claims – Oakwood Solicitors

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority – Gov

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