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If you were the victim of a violent crime in Texas, you may be entitled to crime victim compensation through a state program, a civil lawsuit, or both. The financial burden of a crime should not fall on the person who was harmed. Texas provides two distinct paths to recovery: the Crime Victims’ Compensation Program administered by the Attorney General’s Office and a civil claim filed against the parties responsible for your harm.
Interested in learning more? Reach out today. Johnson Garcia has more than 35 years of experience and has recovered over $200 million for clients across Texas.
Crime victim compensation in Texas refers to the financial recovery available to people who suffer physical or emotional harm as a result of a violent crime. Two separate paths exist, and understanding both is the first step toward full recovery.
The first path is the state-administered Crime Victims’ Compensation Program, which covers medical bills, counseling, lost wages, and funeral expenses. The program is helpful but limited, with a cap of $50,000 in most cases. It is also the payer of last resort, meaning all other sources of payment must be exhausted before the program pays.
The second path is a civil lawsuit filed against the perpetrator or a negligent third party. A civil claim has no statutory cap and can recover damages the CVC Program does not cover, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages. A crime victim lawyer at Johnson Garcia can help you evaluate which path applies to your situation and pursue both when appropriate.
If you are wondering whether your situation qualifies, both the Texas CVC Program and civil lawsuits cover a wide range of violent crimes. A woman assaulted at a Houston apartment complex with broken security cameras, for example, may qualify for CVC benefits and may also have a civil claim against the property owner. Each case depends on the specific facts and the evidence available, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Survivors of sexual assault and sexual abuse may qualify for crime victim compensation through the CVC Program and may also pursue a civil claim. Civil claims can name both the perpetrator and any institution that failed to prevent the abuse. Texas provides extended filing deadlines for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, giving you additional time to come forward.
Victims of aggravated assault and battery often face medical bills, lost income, and lasting physical and emotional harm. When the assault was foreseeable and occurred on a property with inadequate security, the property owner may share civil liability alongside the attacker. Crime victim compensation through the CVC Program can help cover immediate costs while a civil claim is pursued.
If you were the victim of a robbery or armed robbery, your injuries, trauma, and financial losses may extend well beyond the value of what was taken. A civil claim can target both the criminal and the property owner if negligent security contributed to the robbery. CVC benefits may also cover medical care, counseling, and lost wages related to the crime.
Domestic violence victims in Texas are eligible for CVC benefits, including relocation assistance for victims assaulted in their own homes. Civil claims may also be pursued against the abuser for medical expenses, emotional distress, and other damages. Crime victims rights under Texas law include protective orders and the right to be informed of all court proceedings involving the offender.
Survivors of kidnapping and human trafficking may qualify for CVC benefits and may also pursue civil claims for the full scope of their losses. Texas law treats human trafficking survivors with particular care, waiving certain eligibility restrictions that apply to other CVC applicants. A crime victim lawyer can help you navigate both recovery paths simultaneously.
Texas covers certain motor vehicle crimes under the CVC Program, including DWI, intoxication assault, intoxication manslaughter, and failure to stop and render aid. If you were injured by an intoxicated driver, you may also pursue a civil claim. In some cases, a bar or restaurant that overserved the driver may share liability under the Texas Dram Shop Act.
When a violent crime results in a death, surviving family members may apply for CVC benefits and may also bring a wrongful death claim under Texas law. A spouse, children, or parents may seek damages for funeral costs, lost financial support, and the loss of companionship. Johnson Garcia is prepared to pursue both paths on behalf of grieving families.
Johnson Garcia has helped Texans recover over 200 million after serious accidents—let us fight for you next.
Victims of violent crime need a legal team that treats their case with the seriousness and compassion it demands, and Johnson Garcia provides that. The aftermath of a violent crime involves both emotional recovery and complex legal decisions, and the wrong guidance early in the process can limit the compensation available to you.
The lawyers at Johnson Garcia know how to navigate both the CVC application process and the civil claims process. The firm prepares every case as though it will go before a jury, which pressures defendants and insurers to offer fair resolutions.
Johnson Garcia has recovered over $200 million for clients across Texas and gives every client direct, personal attention from the first consultation through resolution. Based in Houston with a statewide reach, the firm represents crime victims throughout Texas.
The Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation Program is administered by the Attorney General’s Office and provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime. The program is not a lawsuit. It is a state-funded benefit designed to help with costs that other sources do not cover.
To qualify, applicants must meet several requirements:
Covered costs include medical care, counseling, lost wages, funeral expenses, and relocation assistance for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking. Total compensation is capped at $50,000, with an additional $75,000 available for extraordinary losses resulting in permanent disability.
The CVC Program is the payer of last resort, meaning all other sources of payment must be used first. A civil claim can recover damages that the program does not cover, including pain, suffering, and punitive damages.
If you are pursuing a civil claim for crime victim compensation beyond what the CVC Program provides, your case will generally move through three stages in Texas.
No victim of a violent crime in Texas should have to navigate the recovery process alone. The sooner a claim begins, the easier it is to preserve evidence and meet filing deadlines for both the CVC Program and a civil claim.
Johnson Garcia handles crime victim civil claims on a contingency fee basis, so there is no upfront cost to speak with the firm about your options. Johnson Garcia has more than 35 years of experience and has recovered over $200 million for clients across Texas. The firm is prepared to take your case to trial when that is what a fair outcome requires. Every consultation is free and confidential.
What is the difference between the CVC Program and a civil lawsuit?
The CVC Program is a state-administered fund that covers specific expenses up to $50,000. A civil lawsuit is a separate legal action filed by the victim to recover the full scope of damages. Civil claims can include pain, suffering, and punitive damages that the CVC Program does not cover.
Do I need criminal charges to be filed before I can pursue compensation?
No. You can apply for CVC benefits and file a civil claim regardless of whether criminal charges are brought. Civil cases use a preponderance of the evidence standard, which is lower than the criminal standard of beyond a reasonable doubt.
How long do I have to file for crime victim compensation in Texas?
CVC applications must be filed within three years of the crime. Civil claims must generally be filed within two years of the injury. Speaking with a crime victim lawyer early protects both deadlines and preserves evidence that may otherwise disappear.
What are crime victims rights in Texas?
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 56 grants crime victims rights including the right to be informed of court proceedings, the right to be present at trial, and the right to provide a victim impact statement. The federal Crime Victims’ Rights Act provides additional protections at the national level.
What compensation is available through a civil claim?
A civil claim can seek medical expenses, therapy costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In some cases Texas courts may also award punitive damages. There is no statutory cap on civil recoveries the way there is on CVC benefits.
Do I need a lawyer to apply for CVC or file a civil claim?
You do not need a lawyer to apply for CVC benefits, but a crime victim lawyer can help with complex applications and appeals. A lawyer is strongly recommended for civil claims, which require evidence gathering, liability analysis, and knowledge of Texas law. The lawyers at Johnson Garcia offer free consultations.
Violent crime affects communities across Texas. Wherever the crime occurred, you deserve answers about the compensation available to you. Johnson Garcia represents crime victims throughout Texas, and free consultations are available regardless of which city you call home.
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