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Ontario|Criminal LawVictims of Crime 790 Victim compensation There are four ways that a victim of crime can be compensated. These are, (1) through insurance, (2) through restitution, (3) by applying to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, and (4) by suing the person who committed the crime.
- Insurance
The first way to compensate victims of crime is through insurance. If you are injured, or your car is damaged in an accident, your car insurance company will usually compensate you for damages suffered. You can also seek compensation through your home or property insurer if any personal property is stolen or damaged as a result of a crime.
- Applying for restitution
The second way to compensate victims of crime is by applying for restitution to the court that found the offender guilty of committing the offence. Restitution means that the offender is required to repay the victim. The court will consider your application when deciding on the offender's sentence. To compensate you, the court can order any stolen property to be returned to you, or the court can order the person who committed the crime to pay you a sum of money. However, because the court's main concern during sentencing is not victim compensation, it may be best to try other methods.
- Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
The third way to compensate victims of crime is through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board deals mainly with cases of serious personal injury or death, and can give compensation in several circumstances. First, the board can compensate any victim of crime who was physically injured. Second, the board can compensate anyone who was physically injured while trying to prevent a crime. And third, the board can compensate anyone who was physically injured while lawfully arresting or assisting in the arrest of a person committing a crime. A range of compensation can be awarded by the board, including compensation for your medical bills, your prescriptions, funeral expenses, and loss of income because of an injury. The board can also award up to $25,000 to compensate you for pain and suffering. If a victim has died, compensation is still available for the person who financially supported the victim or for the victim's dependents, such as a parent, spouse or child.
- Lawsuit
The final way to compensate a victim of crime is to sue the person who committed the crime. A civil lawsuit is held separately from the criminal trial, and can result in an award of damages for injuries suffered. You should consult a lawyer for more information if you are considering a civil lawsuit of this nature.
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