What is a victims compensation claim in WA and who can apply?
Victims of crime compensation is a type of financial assistance that the government provides to support people who have been injured or experienced physical or emotional harm as a result of a violent act. As a part of this process, you won’t have to go to court and we can also prevent the person who harmed you from being notified about your claim.
If you’ve been assaulted, it’s worth having a conversation about your rights. We offer an obligation free initial appointment.
Frequently asked questions
This type of compensation applies to primary victim of the crime and secondary victims who witnessed the crime or are the parent or guardian of the victim.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to a violent crime, you may also be eligible for this type of compensation.
Yes, people who have experienced domestic and family violence are eligible to claim victims of crime compensation.
The time limit is 3 years from the date of the offence. But there are exceptions. Speaking to a lawyer can help you understand your options.
We offer a No Win, No Fee arrangement to help you access the justice and care you need. We understand that it can be extremely difficult to access justice as a victim of crime and so we also cover any disbursements and only seek repayment if you receive compensation.
Yes, you will need to file a police report as a part of the compensation process. When you file a report, you’ll receive a Police Incident Report Number and this is necessary for your application.
No, the perpetrator doesn’t have to be charged or convicted of the crime for you to seek compensation.
No, you don’t have to go to court to seek crime compensation. In this process, we help you prepare and lodge an application to seek compensation for your injuries.
The amount will depend on the injury and severity. For a single offence, the maximum payout amount is $75,000. For multiple offences perpetrated by the same offender the maximum payout is $150,000.
Types of claims
Here are different types of claims we’ve successfully helped our clients get compensation for:
Assaults
Road rage incidents
Sexual offences and sexual abuse
Domestic and family violence
Homicide and attempted homicide
Armed robbery and violent theft
Home invasions
Kidnapping and deprivation of liberty
Serious threats and stalking
Neglect and emotional/psychological abuse
Dog attacks
Arson endangering life or health
Threats with weapons
Assaults
Road rage incidents
Sexual offences and sexual abuse
Domestic and family violence
Homicide and attempted homicide
Armed robbery and violent theft
Home invasions
Kidnapping and deprivation of liberty
Serious threats and stalking
Neglect and emotional/psychological abuse
Dog attacks
Arson endangering life or health
Threats with weapons
Sometimes it can be tricky to understand whether you meet certain definitions or criteria. This doesn’t make your experience of harm invalid. It’s always important to seek legal advice to know for sure and to understand your pathways to justice.
We’re here to help
It can be daunting to speak to a lawyer at the best of times. Our team is here to listen and understand your circumstances.
Entitlements
The maximum amount for a single offence is $75,000. For multiple offences perpetrated by the same offender the maximum payout is $150,000.
These payout amounts depend on the type of injury and severity. No amount of money can take away the physical, emotional and psychological harm that was done to you. The aim of this type of compensation is to give you the ability to seek the support and care you need to heal.
Victims of crime compensation can include:
- Covering medical costs: hospital visits, medication, surgery and rehabilitation
- Covering mental health support and counselling costs: sessions with a psychiatrist, psychologist or therapy to help process the trauma
- Income loss: if you’ve been unable to work because of your injuries, you can be covered for lost wages
- Lump sum payments
How we can help
The legal system can be complex, and it can be a difficult thing to handle on your own. From our first introduction, we focus on your voice and your recovery. We understand the sensitivity required for victims of crime compensation, and we combine that empathy with securing the financial support you deserve.
To help support you throughout the process, we also offer free social work services and appointments that suit you.
What’s the process for crime compensation?
We’ll make the process easy for you so you can focus on recovery.
In your obligation free initial appointment, your lawyer will learn more about the incident from you and then give you the advice you need to choose the best way forward.
Once you choose Slater and Gordon, we’ll begin working to gather evidence and prepare your application. This may include police reports, witness statements, proof of loss of income, and if needed, we’ll arrange any medical examinations to assess your injury.
Our priority is always to get the best outcome for you, and we’ll guide and advise you every step of the way.
Meet the team
When you’re recovering from an act of violence, the legal process should be the least of your burdens. Our firm provides a dedicated legal team who will manage every detail of your application.