NCJ Number
32394
Journal
JOURNAL OF RISK AND INSURANCE Volume: 42 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1975) Pages: 599-614
Date Published
1975
Length
16 pages
Annotation
BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIMES, TWELVE STATES HAVE ENACTED LEGISLATION TO COMPENSATE CRIME VICTIMS FOR LOSS OF EARNINGS AND MEDICAL EXPENSES.
Abstract
CRIME COMPENSATION PLANS PRESENTLY EXIST IN NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA, HAWAII, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, NEVADA, NEW JERSEY, RHODE ISLAND, ALASKA, FLORIDA, ILLINOIS, AND WASHINGTON. THE PURPOSES OF THIS PAPER ARE TO ANALYZE THE BASIS CHARACTERISTICS OF STATE CRIME COMPENSATION PLANS, TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PRESENT PROGRAMS IN REDUCING THE ECONOMIC INSECURITY FROM VIOLENT CRIMES, AND TO PRESENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING EXISTING PROGRAMS. MAXIMUM BENEFITS RANGE FROM $5,000 TO $45,000. SEVERAL STATES REQUIRE THE VICTIM TO DEMONSTRATE NEED, WHILE OTHER STATES PAY BENEFITS BASED ON RIGHT. EXPERIENCE UNDER TWO PROGRAMS IS EXAMINED: ONE THAT REQUIRES DEMONSTRATION OF FINANCIAL NEED FOR PAYMENT (NEW YORK) AND ONE THAT DOES NOT (HAWAII). CLAIMS PAYMENTS ARE RELATED TO THE STATES' POPULATION, CRIME RATE, AND CLAIMS FILED. REASONS FOR DENIAL ARE TABULATED. THESE AND OTHER STATES' PLANS ARE EVALUATED AGAINST SEVERAL SOCIALLY DESIRABLE CRITERIA. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)