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According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, there were 11,033 violent-crime incidents reported in Memphis in 2008. As a Memphis trial lawyer, this statistic is not at all surprising to me. As a resident of Memphis, I too have been burglarized and vandalized. In response to the increases in crime over the last few decades, Tennessee, along with many of her sister states, have enacted the Criminal Victim's Injury Compensation Act. Last year the fund paid out over $13,600,000 for injuries and costs associated with crime victim's losses. The act, which provided these payments, was amended about 9 months ago to include some new areas of assistance.

1. A “relative” of a deceased victim (as defined under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act) may be reimbursed for funeral and burial expenses that the relative has incurred due to the victim’s death. This is in addition to the legal representative of the victim’s estate who may file on behalf of the estate.

2. Effective for crimes occurring on or after July 1, 2008, eligible incidents upon which compensation can be based now include when the crime involved the failure to stop at the scene of an accident in violation of §55-10-101 which directly resulted in serious bodily injury or death to the victim and the evidence shows that the operator of the motor vehicle knew or reasonably should have known that death or serious bodily injury had occurred.

3. Effective for crimes occurring on or after July 1, 2008, any awards made for medical or medical related expenses, including but not limited to dental, chiropractic, hospital, physical therapy and nursing services,
shall be made in an amount not to exceed 75% of the billed charges if asum is available to do so after payment of expenses due the victim or claimant (e.g. lost wages, permanent impairment, etc.).
If the program makes payment equal to 75% and the provider accepts the payment, the provider must accept the payment as payment in full and shall not bill any balance to the victim or claimant. This provision
does not prohibit the provider from seeking reimbursement from the victim or claimant for the difference, if any, between the 75% and the amount paid by the division under this provisio

If you think that you or a loved one may be eligible for some compensation, for example, the cost of a forensic rape test, go to the State Of Tennessee website for an excellent FAQ page. Another way to review your options, is to consult with an experienced injury lawyer. We can help.