§ 1 Definitions
§ 2 Eligibility for compensation
§ 3 Maximum award; compensable expenses
§ 4 Division of victim compensation and assistance; program director; powers and duties
§ 5 Filing and proof of claims; civil investigative demands
§ 6 Notification by claimant of change in address
§ 7 Notice to claimant; payment of compensation
§ 8 Request for reconsideration of award or denial
§ 9 Judicial review
§ 10 Amounts received by claimant from other sources; offset
§ 11 Subrogation
§ 12 Misrepresentations or concealment; fines and damages
§ 13 ”Good Samaritans”; liability
§ 14 Debt collection activities by health care provider prohibited until award made or claim denied
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Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws > Chapter 258C - Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Entitlement: A Federal program or provision of law that requires payments to any person or unit of government that meets the eligibility criteria established by law. Entitlements constitute a binding obligation on the part of the Federal Government, and eligible recipients have legal recourse if the obligation is not fulfilled. Social Security and veterans' compensation and pensions are examples of entitlement programs.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Interrogatories: Written questions asked by one party of an opposing party, who must answer them in writing under oath; a discovery device in a lawsuit.
  • Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.