The European Union is set to force member states to impose a common system of compensation for crimes usually covered by commercial personal injury policies.
The proposed directive on compensation to crime victims will call for a minimum standard of compensation for a range of crimes. According to the EU, the new legislation will not cover non-intentional crimes, "because they are often covered by insurance policies."
Significantly, the plans would force nation states to create a scheme whereby claims would be handled from other states.
Central to the proposals is that EU citizens should receive the same treatment across the continent. The move was sparked by concerns that compensation schemes are highly irregular across the EU.
EU commissioner for Home Affairs Antonio Vitorino said: "This situation is not acceptable. It is therefore crucial that a right to adequate compensation is introduced for crime victims in the EU."
The legislation also includes new rules on calculating compensation and guidelines of the amount of damages that can be awarded.
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