Random Attack

Interesting point you make. On Panorama last night there was a report on Post-Tromatic Stress Disorder; they medical bods they had said that people claiming compo for PTSD (Not that the OP'er is) makes the mental healing process much harder. And if you claim it's stopped you from working or say cycling and you win, then in effect you can't do either in the near or distant future, otherwise you maybe brought to court for contempt and fined.

I you are mentally effected by the incedant then a claim which can take years could prolong recovery.

The criminal injuries compensation board isn't set up like an insurance company - they pay or they don't, there's not a lot of wrangling in and out of court to interfere with a mental healing process. And whether they pay out isn't dependent as far as I can tell on whether the injury has stopped you from doing anything.