Compensation rule changes: act now

Published: 16 November 2012

The rules are changing for those making claims for injuries under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). This may include Royal College of Nursing members assaulted at work.

The main changes are:

minor injury bands of one to five have been removed. This means less serious injuries will not be compensated at all
a reduced level of compensation for the lower bands. This means that other less severe injuries will attract lower compensation payments
claimants must have been receiving regular pay for at least three years immediately before the date of the incident to qualify for any loss of earnings compensation
loss of earnings recovered will be at the rate of statutory sick pay for the number of weeks in question
there will be an absolute requirement to report the assault to the police in future.

Roz Hooper, from the RCN’s legal team, said it is likely that the changes will lead to lower payments for injured RCN members.

“Any RCN member wishing to make a claim relating to injuries from an assault taking place in the last two years under the more generous scheme, must speak immediately to their local RCN representative and submit an application to the CICA by 26 November 2012. Many people will not get anything under the new scheme,” she said.