PERTH ยท WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Criminal Injuries Compensation Lawyers Perth
Been the victim of a crime in WA and suffered injury, loss or trauma? You may be entitled to compensation, even if the offender was never charged or convicted. We help victims of assault, abuse and other offences claim what they are owed under the criminal injuries scheme.
CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION IN WA
In Western Australia, criminal injuries compensation is a government scheme for people harmed by criminal offences. Claims are decided by a Chief Assessor rather than a court, and you may be eligible even where no one was prosecuted. Time limits apply, so early advice helps protect your entitlement.
Injured because of a crime in Perth or WA?
If you have been injured because of a crime in Western Australia, you may be able to apply for criminal injuries compensation.nMPK Lawyers helps victims of crime in Perth and across WA prepare and lodge criminal injuries compensation applications. We can assist whether the offender was charged, not charged, unknown, or if the criminal case has not gone the way you expected.nNo win, no fee. No professional fees until your criminal injuries compensation claim is finalised.
No Win, No Fee Criminal Injuries Compensation Claims
MPK Lawyers offers no win, no fee arrangements for eligible criminal injuries compensation claims. You do not pay our professional fees while the claim is running. Fees are payable when your claim is finalised, and only in accordance with the costs agreement you approve before we act.
No fees while your claim runs
You do not pay our professional fees up front or while the claim is running. Fees are payable only when the claim finalises, and in line with the costs agreement you approve before we act.
Clear costs before you sign
If medical reports, psychological reports or other expenses may be needed, we explain how those are handled before they are incurred. No surprises.
What Is Criminal Injuries Compensation in WA?
Criminal injuries compensation is a WA Government scheme for people who have suffered injury or loss because of an offence or alleged offence committed in Western Australia. It is separate from the criminal case against the offender.
Who can apply
The scheme can apply to injuries caused by assault, family violence, sexual offences, threats, robbery, unlawful wounding and other criminal conduct. It can also apply to close relatives of a person who has died because of an offence.
No conviction required
You may still be eligible even if no one was caught or convicted. However, police reporting and cooperation with the investigation are important issues that need to be addressed properly.
What Compensation Can Include
Every claim depends on the evidence. Psychological injury can be just as important as physical injury. If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, panic, nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, fear of leaving home, relationship strain or trouble returning to work, those symptoms should be discussed and supported by proper evidence.
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Medical treatment
Psychological treatment
Lost income
Travel expenses
Damage to personal items
Other expenses caused by the injury
When to Speak With a Lawyer
Consider legal advice in any of these situations. You should also get advice if you have received questions from the Office of Criminal Injuries Compensation or if you are unhappy with the amount awarded.
You did not report the incident to police
The offender was not charged or was acquitted
The offender is unknown
The incident happened more than three years ago
The injury is mainly psychological
The claim involves sexual assault or family violence
You are claiming future loss of income
A hearing has been arranged or you are considering appeal
What to Do After Being Injured Because of a Crime
A few steps in the early days protect your position and your claim. Follow these and bring whatever you have to your first consultation.
1
Report the incident to WA Police if it has not already been reported.
2
Seek medical or psychological treatment and tell your doctor what happened.
3
Keep records of the police report number, medical treatment, counselling, receipts and time away from work.
4
Write down what happened while your memory is fresh, including witnesses and the impact on your daily life.
5
Speak with MPK Lawyers before lodging a late, complex or disputed application.
Time Limits Apply
Applications are generally required within three years of the incident, or within three years of the last incident if there were multiple incidents involving the same offender. Late applications may still be possible, but reasons for the delay need to be explained properly.Do not wait until every injury has fully resolved if the time limit is getting close. Early advice can help protect your position and identify what evidence is needed.
How MPK Lawyers Can Help
We can help you understand whether you may have a claim, what evidence is needed, whether the application is in time, and how to explain the impact of the offence.
Preparing and lodging your application
We can prepare the application, organise supporting material and deal with questions from the Office of Criminal Injuries Compensation. We can also help with late application issues and advise you about the outcome when a decision is made.
Medical and psychological evidence
We can advise whether medical or psychological reports should be obtained, identify what evidence is needed to support the claim, and help coordinate that evidence before the application is lodged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about criminal injuries compensation claims in WA.
Not always. A claim may still be possible even if no one was caught, charged or convicted. The application still needs evidence that an offence or alleged offence occurred and that your injuries or losses were caused by it.
Yes. Psychological injury may be part of a criminal injuries compensation claim. Symptoms such as anxiety, depression, trauma, flashbacks, nightmares and difficulty sleeping should be discussed with your doctor and your lawyer.
You may still be able to apply, but you will usually need to ask for an extension of time and explain the delay. Get advice before assuming it is too late.
Yes. Criminal injuries compensation can apply to family violence, sexual assault and long term abuse claims. These claims need to be handled carefully and respectfully.
In many cases the offender may be notified and may receive edited copies of documents. If this creates a safety concern, you should tell us early so this can be addressed.
Speak With a Perth Criminal Injuries Compensation Lawyer
If you have been injured because of a crime in Perth or anywhere in WA, contact MPK Lawyers. We will listen to what happened, explain the process and help you work out what should be done next.