Sometimes injuries are caused by sources much more personal than a car or vehicle. Sometimes they are caused by ill-will or reckless people. Driving under the influence, sexual assault, and road rage are violent crimes that can leave innocent people victimized and in pain.
While financial compensation does little in the way of restoring broken spirits and bearing great loss, it can help ease the financial strain that was a result of the incident. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries runs the Crime Victims Compensation Program, which seeks to provide financial compensation for victims of a violent crime.
What Is the Crime Victims Compensation Program?
The Crime Victims Compensation Program, or CVCP, is a program designed to aid those that have been exposed to violent personal injury crimes. The CVCP steps in, helping to cover medical bills, lost financial support, and even funeral expenses. The CVCP will pay these expenses if you are uninsured, and may also reduce your costs even if you have public or private health insurance.
For individuals in Everett who wish to pursue financial compensation for their losses and pain, CVCP is a viable option. A professional Everett personal injury attorney can assist you in filing a report and working with a CVCP representative.
Compensation Provided by the CVCP
The Crime Victim’s Compensation Program is able to provide victims with compensation for a number of needs, including:
- Medical benefits.
- Dental benefits.
- Medication coverage.
- Lost wages.
- Grief counseling.
- Funeral expenses.
- Mental health treatment.
If the victim has any primary insurance, those resources must be used first before the CVCP can provide any compensation. The CVCP must be the last payor.
Unfortunately, CVCP cannot provide compensation for personal property crimes, identity theft, or a number of other crimes. To see the full selection, please review CVCP’s list of compensable benefits.
Eligibility Requirements
The CVCP has eligibility requirements for their aid. Those that wish to receive such aid must adhere to the agency’s stated requirements. In order to be eligible, the following must be true:
- The victim suffered emotional distress or bodily harm during the attack.
- The crime committed was a gross misdemeanor or felony.
- A report was filed with law enforcement within a year of the crime date or within the time period of when it could reasonably have been reported.
- You must apply for benefits within two years of the reported crime.
- You must be able to cooperate with law enforcement and help with the investigation and prosecution.
Victims may be denied CVCP aid if any of the following are true:
- The victim’s injuries resulted due to their own actions, such as provoking, inciting, or participating in the event that led to injury.
- The victim’s injuries occurred during incarceration.
- The victim’s injuries occurred while committing a felony.
- The victim has a record of a criminal act five years preceding the application or is convicted of a felony after applying.
You can find these eligibility requirements and more listed on their website.
Assistance From Everett Personal Injury Attorneys
Compared to a number of other personal injury crimes, those qualified for CVCP aid are among some of the most painful and grievous. Unfortunately, this trying and difficult time is also one that demands the most attention and work: interfacing with insurance agencies, talking with doctors, paying medical bills, working with the CVCP representatives, and more.
Here at Russell and Hill, PLLC, our attorneys are trained to deal skillfully with personal injury cases and to take on a majority of the workload when it comes to a victim’s case. Our ability to professionally communicate with experts, doctors, lawyers, and insurance agents provides our clients with time to breathe, grieve, and recover.
If you have been personally victimized by the actions of another, you have the legal right to pursue financial compensation. Our attorneys want to help you find relief during this trying time. For more information about our services, contact us today at 888-258-9103 or by filling out our contact form.
