CLEARFIELD – April 18-24 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Awareness Week, and for victims of crime in Clearfield County, help is available.
On Wednesday members of the media sat down the staff of the Clearfield County Victim-Witness Office to discuss the office’s focus during National Crime Victims’ Rights Awareness Week.
Victim/Witness Coordinator Judy Shirey said they wanted to focus on the Victim’s Compensation Program. She said that a recent study in Pennsylvania showed that 75 percent of people are unaware of the program.
Margie Roselli, victim advocate, said for victim’s compensation, they only need an incident report. Victim Advocate Tammy Kyler further informed that the incident had to involve personal injury.
“We do the claim for people,” said Shirey. “We do the legwork, but we do need their (the victim’s) cooperation.”
Once a case is approved by a state board, the fund can pay for any number items; mileage reimbursement for doctor visits, medical bills, loss of earnings due to crimes and others.
“There’s so much it will do,” said Shirey. “It’s really broad.”
She noted that this is a payer of last resort, such that if a person’s insurance doesn’t pick up the cost, this can. She also said that if someone doesn’t have insurance and needs to go to the hospital following a criminal incident, this program may cover the cost.
Shirey said that at times the state board might not accept a claim. She said they sometimes won’t settle for that. She noted a recent case where a crime victim had over $15,000 in medical bills. The board denied the claim, stating that the man was partially at fault. Shirey said they went to Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw to see if they could continue to pursue the claim. They went over the case and she said he was agreeable to that action.
“We called, they reviewed it and it is being paid in full,” said Shirey.
Kyler cited another case. In this case, a young person was in a car with his aunt. Their vehicle was struck by a driver who was driving under the influence, and the aunt died.
“He has to receive a lot of counseling due to what he saw,” said Kyler. She added that his family has to drive him about 80 miles round-trip to get that treatment.
Shirey said this program also helps the economy by reimbursing providers.
“When you have providers not being paid it makes it worse for everyone,” said Shirey.
She also said her office is planning to get together with county police departments to give new police officers an overview of what services the Victim/Witness Office provides. Shirey said that police are very often the first contact with a crime victim. She said that officers give victim’s a pamphlet about the Victim/Witness office and sometimes call the office to give the staff a heads-up on a case.
Shirey also wanted to thank the district attorney for his support of the Victim/Witness office.
“We’re luck that Bill lets us run our program,” said Shirey.
“His door is always open for the victims,” added Roselli.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week runs from April 18-24. If you would like more information about the Victim/Witness Office, click here.
