CICA compensation

[TBI_Friday]

Just a curiosity question for me really, if anyone was unfortunate to get their TBI as a result of someone else's actions, did you make a CICA claim and if so how long did it take before the compensation came through? I submitted my claim back in roughly April 2022, received a letter in April 2023 saying they were ready to view my case. I've heard nothing from them since then, and unfortunately I've fell into my typical TBI habit of bombarding them with emails wanting updates.

[TBI_Friday]

I kept them updated, saying I was diagnosed with cPTSD, mixed anxiety and depression, short term memory impairment and moderate TBI, explained all my symptoms etc. yet they do not reply my email

[Pairofboots in reply to TBI_Friday]

CICA claims usually take over a year, they compare symptoms, consequences between first claimed and present against likely recovery. Compensation is based on fairly fixed criteria i.e. facial scar will receive set amount, loss of limb a set amount. I don't know how they access brain injury. I have received this twice in the past, both for scaring, in both cases they requested professional photos of the scar's as at the time of injury and then at a year post injury. I assume that they will eventually ask for reports as to how your injuries impact your life. Sorry I don't know any more specifically. 🍀

[TBI_Friday in reply to Pairofboots]

It's just very frustrating waiting for something that's owed (in the loosest sense). You'd think that an agency such as the CICA who deal with such injuries would knowingly understand that people with a TBI may lack patience and the waiting can make things worse, causing more unpredictable outbursts or exacerbate feelings. Just infuriates me I've waited over 2 years after submitting my application and getting almost zero response/updates. Makes me feel like nobody gives a f.

[Pairofboots in reply to TBI_Friday]

I know, they work in their own mysterious way.

[gr33nmind]

I got my TBI when the police towed my car, and left me to freeze to death over 6 hours. I clinically died for a half an hour, and suffered extreme hypoxia. My family sued the police. They lost, Today I live off of government benefits. This was 30 years ago. I am now 53, and I don't see ever getting off of benefits.

[TBI_Friday in reply to gr33nmind]

I doubt I can't even apply for government benefits as I left the UK a few months ago and refuse to return. I even tried applying for disability but the websites kept me going round in circles and nobody replied my emails. I have up on the UK and just left, still waiting on the CICA comp though.

[gr33nmind in reply to TBI_Friday]

I'm in the US. Still getting Social Security benefits is no picnic. Since I had my injury at age 23, my work history is small, and so is my Social Security. l. I must live in Public Housing, and off of welfare. Public housing it is often located in the worst part of cities. Drugs and crime are rampant in my community. One thing the unfortunately is well known for is guns. I will hear shots take place on weekend nights, every couple of weeks. Then there is healthcare. US healthcare *is* great, if you have money. If you don't, seeing a doctor once a year is difficult. After the pandemic, I couldn't see doctor until this summer. My *doctor* (I don't see a licensed physician, I can only see medical interns,) told me that because of my hypoxia, my uvula goes to one side. Choking will become a greater concern as I get older. Getting older with a disability, in a poor community really sinks.

[TBI_Friday in reply to gr33nmind]

That doesn't sound ideal, a quieter location would benefit I'm sure. Could be worth a little trip to the doctor and mentioning that the constant disruptions are affecting you and you need a better area to live in.

[gr33nmind in reply to TBI_Friday]

I am alone, and cannot afford to live anywhere else. The doctor is unable to change my living situation. I have lived in my apartment for 20 plus years. No it's far from ideal, but it's all I have. I definitely don't want to move into to assisted living, so living a lone is better. I did that for a year post injury. Care is simply awful. I witnessed abuse, and had thefts, among other things. Still as long as I don't go out at night, I am fairly safe. I'm not going to get shot inside my apartment. I have only been mugged twice, and both times were more then 20 years ago. I was in early TBI recovery, and just didn't understand, who, what, when and where to avoid at the time.

[1949liz]

hi Friday, my ex-husband now, through me down the stairs I suffered the TBI, brain haemorrhage and stroke. I didn’t know you could claim anything, the crown prosecution service has yet to make it decision to prosecute him. So like you we wait. it seems I’ve spent the last 4 1/2 years waiting for action to be taken against him. All I can say to is good luck keep your chin up, try to keep strong. take care God bless Liz 🙏🌹

[Pairofboots in reply to 1949liz]

I hope that now you know that you look into making a claim, CICA does not require a prosecution for an injury to be granted, just that it occurred as a consequence of a crime.

[Lilacroxie]

Hi, i applied to CICA in May 2022 & they have come back to me several times looking for more information. I send the information they want then wait ages until I hear again, to find out they want more. I feel they have all relevant info but still waiting. Last I heard they said they were ready to finish but it looked like I was entitled to loss of earnings so I had to provide proof I was working at time of incident. That was 6months ago.

At one time I received an email from CICA saying I hadn’t replied to one of their letters and as per their policy they were going to cancel my application. I hadn’t received any letter so phoned them up. Because of this I phone them every few months to check I haven’t missed any communication.

They don’t give out much information on phone but you could try calling to make sure you are still in their system.

It is very frustrating.

Hope you hear soon

[TBI_Friday in reply to Lilacroxie]

Yeah I got the letter asking for more info like a year ago, I got all copies of all med reports from the local hospital and the army med centre and psychiatrist and neuro centre where I was based. I also told them I was about to be kicked out from my job back in Feb this year due to what I claim to be TBI related behaviour and they "made a note of it". I frequently check my emails for updates but nothing as usual. I would call them but it's a 7+ hour time difference for me now and my sleep pattern is absolute toffee as expected 😅 I did get into the habit of sending them emails but I don't wanna annoy them to the point they cancel it.

[Lilacroxie in reply to TBI_Friday]

I think their communication is not at all great. I think it might be worth trying to call to make sure they’ve received everything & your application is still ongoing. They don’t reply to emails do they? Only a response to say they e received it.

I hope you didn’t lose your job.

I wasn’t able to return to my job so got medical retirement but my pension is lot less than my wage was. I’m in the process of moving now to help with my finances. My Dad emailed them to say this & it would be good to know what I would get as compensation but it’s not speeded it up at all.

Would definitely be good to know how long others have had to wait.

[Juniorbhoy]

Hiya

My husband was assaulted in Dec 2019 and was left with life changing issues. We are still waiting on word back from CICA too! They are not the best company at answering the phone or emails. When I finally got to speak to someone they were waiting for Police Report. They had been waiting 18 months with still no reply. But didn’t have a system set up to chase up this report. If I hadn’t spoke to someone from CICA this would still be sitting waiting to be processed. Good luck x

[TBI_Friday in reply to Juniorbhoy]

That's crazy it takes so long. The guy who messed me up went to prison and is already out too! I'm half tempted to send another email tomorrow, just to humour myself. I assume CICA have now compensated you? If it took them that long, I don't have a cat in hells chance at seeing anything anytime soon.

[Juniorbhoy in reply to TBI_Friday]

HiyaYes same situation too. Guy now released after doing a full 4 year sentence, out loving life while our families life is shattered as we knew it, especially my husband's. No, we are still waiting for CICA to come to a decision on award. It will be 5 years in December since the assault. Best of luck and I hope you still have patience xx

[TBI_Friday in reply to Juniorbhoy]

5 years! The speed in which they function at is just unacceptable, getting things done in a timely manner should be an important thing. Anything can happen in 5 years in order for them to not have to pay. Guess I'll just pretend I never applied. Thank you for the info

[Juniorbhoy]

HiyaActually glad you have posted about this as we haven't spoken about CICA & (fortunately) don't know anyone who has ever applied before so interesting to hear how other applicants got on. I do wish you the best of luck xx

[TBI_Friday in reply to Juniorbhoy]

If I remember, I'll post back and let you know what happens. But after reading the horror stories online from other people, the CICA will probably award me a £5 Woolworths coupon and a packet of haribo 😅 almost all stories I've read have resulted in the applicant asking them to reconsider or got lawyers involved due to the CICA making a mockery of the amount offered.