Criminal Injury Compensation Reports

Experienced Perth Psychologists providing criminal injury compensation psychological reports. 

If you have been a victim of an offense in WA and have suffered injuries or incurred financial losses as a consequence of the injury, you may be eligible to seek compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 2003. This provision extends to close relatives of individuals killed in WA due to an offense, encompassing injuries and/or financial losses.

Compensation covers various aspects, including:

1. Injury: This includes bodily harm, mental and nervous shock, as well as pregnancy-related conditions. It encompasses compensation for pain and suffering and the loss of enjoyment of life.
2. Financial Compensation: You may be eligible for compensation related to:
   • Loss of earnings.
   • Medical expenses that you have incurred or will incur.
   • Other relevant expenses such as travel for medical treatment and damage to personal items.

If you meet the specified criteria, pursuing a claim under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 2003 could provide you with the necessary support and compensation for the losses and injuries you have experienced.

Several psychologists in our team that are able to provide this specialised psychological assessment service.  They provide thorough and professional independent psychological assessments, crafting comprehensive reports that delineate the repercussions of criminal injuries. These reports are available to be submitted to the Office of Criminal Compensation in Western Australia (Department of Justice) to aid in compensation determinations. 

You may self-refer (and an application for interim payment can be organised by contacting the office of criminal compensation to cover the cost of the assessment) or are more commonly referred by a lawyer in order to prepare a submission for criminal compensation.

Our criminal injury assessment process typically involves three assessment sessions and subsequent report writing. During these sessions, our psychologist will inquire about the details of the crime, its impact on your emotional wellbeing  your relationships and ability to work, prior psychological treatment, developmental history, your family background, and administer formal psychological assessment tools.

To ensure effective preparation for these sessions, we encourage you to bring your victim impact statement, any instructions from your lawyer, and a record of your psychological and medical treatment history from your general practitioner.

Please note that the assessment of your claim by the Office of Criminal Injuries may take up to 18 months. We highly recommend seeking therapy and support during this period, as participation in the assessment process may evoke distress.

To initiate psychological support, obtaining a mental healthcare plan is useful to help with the costs. You can discuss this with your psychologist to agree on the type and focus of support until the criminal injury assessment process is completed.

At times, it may be advisable for you and your psychologist to concentrate on developing strategies to address personal relationship challenges rather than delving into deeper trauma work until the funding has been secured. Your well-being is our priority, and we are here to support you throughout this process.

Please phone reception to find out about psychologist availability.