Appealing a denied Victim Compensation Fund claim is not something that should be taken lightly. The lawyers at Weisfuse & Weisfuse, LLP understands the complexity of this procedure process and will work around the clock on your behalf to ensure you are fairly compensated. Contact them to learn how to appeal your denied Victim Compensation Fund claim.
Essentially, the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is meant to offer financial support to victims of violent crimes. The VCF offers monetary compensation and medical assistance to treat physical and emotional injuries. If your claim has been denied, there are steps you can take to appeal it:
Contact an attorney– The most integral part of appealing a denied victim compensation claim is by hiring a professional attorney. An experienced attorney can help victims file an appeal and offer optimum support throughout the process.
Research the reason for a denial-Your attorney will help research the reason why your application was denied. This will give you a better idea of what needs correcting on your next application, such as more documentation or additional information that may be needed.
Request an Administrative Review-If you disagree with the decision made by VCF staff, request an administrative review within 60 days from when they notified you of their decision. A VCF representative will review your file and the decision made to determine if it was correct.
File a Formal Appeal-If you disagree with the outcome of the administrative review, you have 60 days from the date of the letter informing you of the result to file a formal appeal. This is done by filing a Claim for Compensation form with the Court of Claims.
Submit evidence– When filing your appeal, you must submit evidence that supports your claim. This evidence can include medical records, police reports, and witness statements.
Wait for a decision– After submitting your evidence, you will have to wait for a decision from the Court of Claims. This process could take years if not months. If your claim is denied again, you may want to consider hiring an attorney who specializes in appellate law.
Retain an Attorney-The final step in appealing a denied Victim Compensation Fund claim is retaining an attorney who specializes in this type of law. An experienced attorney can help guide you through each step of the process and make sure your rights are protected every step of the way.
Appealing a denied Victim Compensation Fund claim can be overwhelming and confusing, but it is possible. It is important to know that if your claim was denied, there are options you can take advantage of in order to appeal the decision and try again. If it has been more than 60 days since you were notified about denial and an administrative review, consider filing for a formal appeal with the Court of Claims by submitting evidence along with the correct form within those sixty days. With this information, anyone should be able to successfully file an appeal against their next Victim Compensation Fund claim.