AREAS OF PRACTICE > VOCAT - Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal
COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF A CRIME
The Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (“VOCAT”) has been established to assist victims of criminal offences in their recovery from an act of violence and provide them with some form of compensation. There are several forms of compensation available to different categories of victim.
VOCAT is able to assist victims of crime with the following expenses:-
● Medical
● Counselling
● Loss of Earnings
● Special Financial Assistance (a small lump sum payment for pain and suffering)
● Any other items that can assist the victim in their recovery from the act of violence
Generally speaking, all of your legal fees are paid by VOCAT and you will not be out of pocket. We can help you prepare your Application to the Tribunal. We will prepare the Application on your behalf and obtain all necessary material to maximise the amount and type of compensation available to you. Compensation is available to the primary victim (the person who has suffered the injury) and also secondary victims such as the parent/guardian of a primary victim or another person who was present when the criminal offence took place.
The advantage of making a Victims of Crime Assistance Application is that payment of an award is guaranteed as it is paid by the Tribunal. Alternatively, you may also be able to bring a “Sentencing Act Application” which is an amount awarded by the Court and payable by the offender and, in some circumstances, you may also be able to bring a civil action. You are entitled to bring more that one type of Application and we will advise you as to which process will best suit your needs. There are limitation periods for making these different types of Application and we suggest that you commence the process as soon as possible.
See also: VOCAT - Compensation For Injuries Suffered As A Result Of A Crime - Part 1
VOCAT - Compensation For Injuries Suffered As A Result Of A Crime - Part 2
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