If your 14-year-old has been stabbed, you can usually seek compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Parents with parental responsibility can apply on the child’s behalf, even if no one has been charged, provided the incident was reported to police and the child’s injuries meet the CICA tariff. National Claims can prepare your evidence, handle the process, and push for the maximum award.
Who this guide is for
This page is for parents and carers of children injured in knife attacks, including Housing Disrepair Victims, Accident Victims, Medical Negligence Victims, Personal Injury Victims, Accident at Work Victims, as well as those dealing with Spinal/Brain Injury, Slip, Trip and Fall, and Pedestrian Injury claims who want clear, trusted guidance on CICA compensation after a 14-year-old was stabbed.
Knife crime remains a serious harm. In the year ending March 2025, police recorded 53,047 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument in England and Wales.
Can parents claim CICA after a child has been stabbed?
Yes. Under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, a parent or person with parental responsibility can apply on behalf of a child who was injured by a violent crime such as a stabbing. You do not need a conviction for the offender; CICA decides cases on the balance of probabilities using police and medical evidence.
Key eligibility points (at a glance)
- The stabbing must be reported to the police.
- The child suffered a physical and/or diagnosed psychological injury listed in the CICA tariff.
- You (and your child) co-operate with the police and CICA.
- Awards may be reduced or refused if the applicant has certain unspent convictions (rare for 14-year-olds but relevant for adult co-applicants in some scenarios).
CICA time limits when the victim is 14
CICA has special time rules for under-18s. If the stabbing was reported before the child turned 18, the application must normally reach CICA by the child’s 20th birthday. If it was reported on or after their 18th birthday, the deadline is two years from the first police report. Apply as soon as reasonably practicable and don’t wait for the criminal case to finish.
Good to know: Government consultations in 2025 proposed changes to time limits, but the current rules above still apply unless and until the Scheme is amended.
What compensation can a stabbed child receive?
CICA pays fixed tariff awards for injuries (physical and mental) and may also pay loss of earnings (in very serious cases) and special expenses (for necessary costs like care or equipment) when the disability lasts long enough. If your child has multiple injuries, CICA applies the “100/30/15 rule” (full amount for the highest-valued injury, plus 30% of the second and 15% of the third; max three injuries).
Typical CICA tariff examples relevant to stabbing :
| Injury type (examples) | Typical CICA tariff (guide) |
|---|---|
| Mental injury diagnosed by a psychiatrist/clinical psychologist – lasting 6–28 weeks | £1,000 |
| Mental injury – lasting 28 weeks–2 years | £2,400 |
| Mental injury – 2–5 years | £6,200 |
| Chest injury requiring thoracotomy | £6,200 |
| Chest injury requiring thoracotomy with removal/extensive repair of organ(s) | £16,500 |
| Abdominal injury requiring laparotomy with repair of one organ | £1,800 |
| Abdominal injury – repair of two organs | £3,500 |
| Abdominal injury – repair of three or more organs | £6,200 |
| Facial scarring – significant disfigurement | £2,400 |
| Facial scarring – serious disfigurement | £11,000 |
Figures above are taken from CICA’s published tariff (Scheme 2012). The exact code depends on the medical evidence and permanence of symptoms
Note: In ordinary civil injury claims, solicitors often value injuries using the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which can show higher, non-tariff ranges. However, CICA must pay its statutory tariff, not JCG figures. JCG amounts can still help you understand relative severity across injuries.
Evidence parents should gather (and how National Claims helps)
To build a strong CICA application, National Claims will organise and present:
- Police details: force, location, date, and crime reference number.
- Medical evidence: GP/A&E records, hospital notes, operation reports, psychiatric/psychological assessments for PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
- School impact: attendance records, safeguarding notes, CAMHS involvement.
- Photographs of wounds/scarring (with dates) and witness details.
- Receipts for special expenses (travel to hospital, damaged glasses/phone if they were relied on as aids).
- Safeguarding context if relevant (e.g., relocation costs, supervision needs).
CICA expects confirmation that the incident was reported to police and that you have co-operated. We ensure those boxes are ticked and the file is fully “decision-ready.”
How long do CICA claims take?
Time varies by severity and evidence. CICA does not need a conviction and can decide once evidence is sufficient. Complex or serious injury cases may take longer because more medical evidence is required; CICA also operates prioritisation. (Government guidance emphasises applying promptly and not waiting for court outcomes.)
Will the offender’s status affect the claim?
Not directly. You can still be awarded if the assailant is unknown or not convicted, provided the evidence shows, on balance of probabilities, that a crime of violence occurred and you co-operated with police.
How much could my family receive? (quick scenarios)
- Single stab wound + PTSD for 10 months: likely the mental injury A4 £2,400 as the top award (if physical injury doesn’t meet a higher tariff).
- Penetrating chest wound needing thoracotomy and lasting mental injury (2–5 years): £6,200 (chest) plus 30% of £6,200 (mental) = £8,060 under the 100/30 rule.
- Abdominal surgery repairing two organs + serious facial scarring: £3,500 (abdomen) + 30% of £11,000 (scarring) = £6,800.
Illustrations only; CICA will apply the correct codes based on medical proof and may also consider special expenses and, in rare child cases, future care where qualifying criteria are met.
Your wider rights as a victim’s family
- You’re entitled to support while the case is investigated (see Victim Support) and to apply to CICA regardless of court outcomes.
- You can monitor knife-crime trends in your area through official statistics to inform safeguarding decisions.
- If bereavement is involved, CICA has separate fatal payments for qualifying relatives (not applicable where the child survives).
Why choose National Claims?
Research and experience show that well-prepared, evidence-led applications are decided faster and more favourably. National Claims:
- Drafts your CICA application to align with the tariff criteria.
- Secures the right experts (child & adolescent psychiatrists/psychologists) to diagnose and date mental injuries precisely to the CICA time thresholds.
- Manages police liaison and evidence gaps (for example, missing hospital notes).
- Negotiates re-consideration where a decision undervalues the injury.
Step-by-step: what happens when you contact us
- Free case review within the same day.
- Evidence plan: we list the exact medical and non-medical records needed.
- Application drafting: we complete and submit on your behalf.
- Updates & follow-up: we handle CICA enquiries; you focus on your child’s recovery.
- Decision & payment: we check the award against the tariff and request clarification or reconsideration where justified.
Costs: Customers pay up to 25% (incl. VAT) of the amount recovered towards solicitor costs and if you cancel outside your cooling off period, you may be charged a fee.
Frequently Asked Questions: CICA for a 14-year-old stabbing victim
1. Does CICA cover counselling or therapy costs?
Potentially under special expenses, but only when strict rules are met (including 28-week incapacity and that similar provision isn’t available free from the state).
2. What if my child refuses to give a statement?
CICA requires reasonable co-operation with police and with CICA. If your child can’t engage due to trauma, expert evidence can explain this. Non-co-operation can reduce or refuse an award.
3. Can we claim if the assailant is under 18?
Yes—CICA focuses on the injury and evidence, not the offender’s age or conviction status.
4. Will a civil claim affect CICA?
CICA is a scheme of last resort. If you obtain damages elsewhere, CICA may reduce or seek repayment to avoid double-compensation. We’ll advise tactically on sequencing.
5. How do CICA figures compare with civil damages?
Civil damages (often valued using JCG) can be higher, but CICA must use its tariff. We’ll always maximise within the Scheme and explain all options.
Ready to start?
Every day of delay can make evidence harder to obtain. Start your child’s CICA claim today and let National Claims remove the stress, organise your evidence, and fight for the maximum award.
Don’t wait while your claim window closes. Speak with National Claims today. We’ll connect you with experienced solicitors who understand your case and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
About National Claims
This article was written by the National Claims content team. Our specialists have years of experience helping people across the UK with personal injury, road traffic accident, and housing disrepair claims. We work alongside regulated solicitors to ensure our information is accurate, up-to-date, and genuinely useful for anyone seeking to understand their rights after an accident.
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