Saturday, Feb. 1, 1997 | 5:17 a.m.
"There have been only four cases that have approached our cap. The average claim is $2,500, but we would like to provide the service to those who need it," program coordinator Bryan Nix told the Senate Finance Committee on Friday.
Established by the Legislature in 1969, the program compensates victims of certain crimes, including assault, rape, murder, robbery, DUI and child abuse.
Benefits awarded go to pay hospital and doctor bills, ambulance service, dental charges, counseling and funeral expenses. Victims can also receive help to offset lost wages.
The 8-year-old program got claims from 1,657 victims of violent crimes last year and paid out $1.8 million. In 1995, 1,757 claims resulted in the payment of $2 million to victims.
Nix requested $7.5 million for the next two years and Gov. Miller recommended giving the group $7.6 million.
"We still have money in reserve because our funds are coming in faster than we can award them," Nix said.
The program has strict criteria, and has turned away more people than it has paid. Nix said the number of claims has gone done some in the last year.
Of the 1,657 people filing claims in 1996, 983 were declined and 674 received money. Restrictions for qualifying for compensation include:
-The crime has to have occurred in Nevada.
-The victim needs to be a resident, must cooperate with law enforcement and can't have been the offender, co-conspirator or accomplice.
-The crime must have been reported within five days and the claim filed within a year of the crime.
-The victim has to show financial need.
One man who had been stabbed in the chest applied for funds but was denied after it was learned that he received his injuries while selling rock cocaine. Another 20-year-old man who was shot by an alleged gang member was turned down when investigators found out he was also in a gang.
However, many innocent victims have received substantial help from the program.
A man who had stopped at a red light at a Las Vegas intersection was approached by a robber with a gun who shot the man as he drove away. The program paid the victim $3,112 in medical expenses.
The wife of a homicide victim applied on behalf of herself and her minor children. She got money for funeral expenses and a supplemental income.
Nix said every state has a crime victims program, but Nevada is the only state that doesn't get federal funding. Besides compensation, the program provides education and outreach services.
