First steps

Publié le 28/02/2024 | Modifié le 25/03/2024

In the face of a terrorist act and confronted with pain, victims and their loved ones must take steps with which they are unfamiliar and can at times be complicated. To help them, the services of the French government have established care and support systems in close proximity to the incident

INFORM THE AUTHORITIES

If you have been physically wounded, are looking for or have lost a loved one, have witnessed the incidents, quickly left the premises to seek shelter, the first step is to inform the authorities.
To that end, you can call the Cross-Government Victim Support Unit, the Public Information Unit, or police services (dial 17), or go to the hospital or a reception center for families and those involved.
In the event you have not taken this step in the days following the incident, you can call the National Number to Aid Victims at any time to receive guidance and support.

SEE A DOCTOR

A terrorist attack can cause particularly significant physical and psychological trauma. It is crucial to consult your family doctor or go to the nearest hospital in the days following the incident.
The doctor can check the overall state of your health, diagnose any hearing issues, assess the psychological impact of the incidents and, if necessary, direct you to a specialist to ensure your are cared for. Ask for an initial medical certificate from the doctor who examines you.
To take advantage of psychological support in the hours following a terrorist attack, please contact the Medical and Psychological Services Emergency Unit nearest you.
Should you be hospitalized, hospital personnel and the professionals present will be able to guide you.

GET ASSISTANCE

The personal, family and professional consequences of a terrorist act can be significant and the steps to be taken general require professional assistance.
To help you recover and assist you, we advise that you contact the non-governmental organizations that aid victims, a specialized lawyer, and your insurance company if you have a legal protection policy or your home insurer, who are qualified to answer your questions.

PREPARE YOUR CASE FILE

To attest to the incident you have just experienced and the consequences it will have on you, remember to keep all the evidence you have as best as possible:
  • Any proof of your presence at the site of the incident (tickets, proof of purchase, photos, etc.;
  • A copy of the police report you filed;
  • The initial medical certificate;
  • Medical certificates and attestations describing your wounds, inability to work, etc.;
  • Doctor’s and psychologist's attestations describing disorders and the impact of the trauma endured;
  • Any written records attesting to material prejudice and any expenses generated by material deterioration (contracts in the event of lost income, invoices, reports, estimates, etc.).
You can gather and store these supporting documents in your digital safe under the "file a case" tab.
These documents will be useful for the various steps in the compensation process in particular, and attest to the impact of the attack on your physical and/or mental health.