NCJ Number
66510
Date Published
1979
Length
51 pages
Annotation
THIS 1979 ANNUAL REPORT OF ALASKA'S VIOLENT CRIMES COMPENSATION BOARD DISCUSSES APPLICANT PROCESSING, CLAIM DECISIONS, PUBLIC AWARENESS OF COMPENSATION, AND PROVIDES STATISTICAL INFORMATION.
Abstract
COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS OF CERTAIN VIOLENT CRIMES WAS ESTABLISHED IN ALASKA IN 1972 TO ALLEVIATE VICTIMS' FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS DUE TO LOSS OF INCOME OR MEDICAL EXPENSES. AWARDS ARE MADE TO VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDENT FAMILIES FOR EXPENSES ACTUALLY AND REASONABLY INCURRED THROUGH INJURY OR DEATH. LOSS OF EARNING POWER, MEDICAL OR REHABILITATION EXPENSES, OR ANY OTHER LOSS THE COMPENSATION BOARD DEEMS REASONABLE MAY BE COMPENSATED. PAYMENTS MAY RANGE UP TO $40,000. TO A DEPENDENT FAMILY OF SOMEONE KILLED. SUBSEQUENT MODIFICATIONS OF THE ORIGINAL BILL ALLOW PAYMENT OF ATTORNEY'S FEES IN MAKING THE CLAIM, REQUIRE COMPULSORY POLICE NOTIFICATION OF VICTIMS ABOUT COMPENSATION, AND PROHIBIT A CRIMINAL'S PROFITING FROM HIS CRIME THROUGH WRITING BOOKS, MAKING MOVIES, ETC. A CLAIM MAY FOLLOW ONLY A PROPERLY REPORTED CRIME AND MUST FULFILL VARIOUS REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE INCIDENT, AND PROOF THAT INCOME WAS INDEED LOST OR MEDICAL EXPENSES ACTUALLY INCURRED. FURTHER, NO MONEY MAY BE PAID WHEN WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION OR INSURANCE COVERS THE LOSS OR EXPENSES INCURRED. STANDARDS FOR COMPENSATION ARE NOT BASED ON ACTUAL WAGES LOST BUT A PERCENTAGE OF WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION APPLICABLE TO PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY DISABILITY. MOST CLAIMS ARE FILED FOR HOMICIDE, ASSAULT, OR RAPE. ALTHOUGH CLAIMS AWARDS CLIMBED FROM $36,000 TO $226,000 FROM 1974-1979, EVIDENCING GROWING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF COMPENSATION, ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF CRIME VICTIMS APPLY FOR IT. A SUMMARY OF CASES OF AWARDS GRANTED AND DENIED, 1978-1979 IS INCLUDED. TABULAR INFORMATION IS INCLUDED.