There exists in Missouri a fund set aside to help those who have been injured by criminal acts. The program is ran by the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) and is partially funded by fines paid to the State by criminal defendants. In its July newsletter, the DPS reported that in fiscal year 2009 the fund paid out $9,246,687.60 to crime victims. The large majority ($5,447,028.99) of the fund’s payouts went to the victims of assaults. A great many times the victim of an assault is left with medical bills they cannot pay and the person who committed the assault is without the means to make restitution for their acts. Even though the person who committed the criminal act may be punished by the criminal justice system the victim still faces medical bills that make them a victim again.

Claims can be made directly by the individual to the DPS or claims can be made through an attorney. There are very specific guidelines that must be followed in order to make a compensable claim. First off in most cases the incident needs to be reported to law enforcement within 48 hours of its occurrence. Certain factors may extend this time for good cause. Along with the time constraints for originally reporting the criminal act there are also certain qualifying requirements for claimants. More information about the Missouri Crime Victims Compensation Fund can be found at the DPS's website.

If you have been injured by a criminal act and have medical bills you cannot pay as a result, please feel free to call my office for a no charge consultation. Attorney fees for claims made by a lawyer to the fund are limited by state law to $100.00 per hour or 15% percent of the collected amount whichever is less.