The articles shown in this section have been sourced from various news feeds.
If you have suffered a personal injury in an accident involving the police that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim.
Circumstances for personal injury claims
The police have a special role in society to enforce the law and protect us, but they are not above the law. In certain instances they can overstep their boundaries and legal powers, causing personal injury to a member of the public.
Examples of when this might happen include:
-
A situation where you have been deliberately assaulted by a police officer
-
In appropriate use of force by a police officer
-
You were involved in a road traffic accident with a police officer in which you suffered personal injury
What should I do?
If you have suffered personal injury as a result of an incident with a police officer it’s vital that you contact personal injury solicitors with experience in this area of the law.
Making a claim against the police can be an extremely daunting prospect, so if you feel you are eligible for compensation contact an experienced team of solicitors immediately. They will take into account all the elements of the incident and advise you whether you have a valid claim and the best course of action.
In many cases they may be able to act for you on a no win, no fee basis.
Potential outcomes
If your personal injury compensation claim is successful the following damages could potentially be awarded:
-
Basic damages for pain and suffering – this will be an amount of money designed to compensate you for the personal injury suffered
-
Financial losses – this will take into account past and future financial losses suffered as a result of the injury
-
Aggravated damages – damages for injured feelings; will not be less than £1,000
-
Exemplary damages – designed to punish the conduct of a police officer which is deemed to be arbitrary, oppressive or unconstitutional; will not be less than £5,500
The amount of damages awarded will depend upon the particular circumstances of your case.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
If you are unable to pursue a personal injury claim, a claim may be able to be brought to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority where injuries have been suffered as a result of a crime of violence, for example where you have been deliberately assaulted
These types of claim must be made within 2 years of the incident. The amount of compensation awarded by the authority will be determined according to a Tariff Scheme and is assessed according to the injuries sustained.