Quebec is Canada's only civil-law jurisdiction and operates a SAAQ no-fault auto scheme that bars tort recovery for motor injury since 1978.
Quebec is unique among Canadian provinces in operating under civil-law tradition (Code Civil du Québec rather than common law) and in barring tort recovery for motor injury entirely. The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) provides comprehensive no-fault benefits for motor-injury victims; the 1978 reform that created the scheme also abolished tort actions for motor injury. Civil-code damages apply for non-motor personal injury. Limitation under Civil Code Article 2925 is three years.
★ statute of limitations
3 years for civil action under Civil Code
Code Civil du Québec, art. 2925
★ fault rule
No-fault statutory scheme
Motor injury is administered under SAAQ no-fault scheme — no tort recovery available for motor injury. Civil-code damages apply outside the motor sphere.
★ QC · statutory caps
What caps recovery.
Caps and ceilings imposed by Quebec law that bear on settlement values.
Andrews cap (non-pecuniary)
Non-pecuniary loss in non-motor PI
~C$430,000+ (applied via Civil Code)
Andrews trilogy applied through Civil Code
★ QC · key facts
What makes Quebec different.
The handful of details that distinguish this jurisdiction from its neighbours.
★Civil-law jurisdiction (Code Civil du Québec)
★SAAQ no-fault scheme — no tort recovery for motor injury
★3-year limitation period under Civil Code
★Andrews cap applies via Civil Code damages framework
★Quebec is unique among Canadian provinces
★ QC · by injury
Claim values by injury type.
Settlement bands, the limitation clock, and how fault is apportioned for each injury type under Quebec law.
Common questions about personal injury claims in Quebec, answered with the relevant statutory references.
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Quebec?
3 years for civil action under Civil Code. Source: Code Civil du Québec, art. 2925. Filing after the period expires generally bars the claim absent a recognised tolling exception (minority, incapacity, or in some jurisdictions delayed discovery of the injury).
What fault rule applies in Quebec?
No-fault statutory scheme. Motor injury is administered under SAAQ no-fault scheme — no tort recovery available for motor injury. Civil-code damages apply outside the motor sphere.
Are there caps on damages in Quebec?
Yes — Quebec applies the following caps: Andrews cap (non-pecuniary) (~C$430,000+ (applied via Civil Code)) under Andrews trilogy applied through Civil Code. See the caps section above for the conditions under which each applies.
Does Quebec operate a no-fault auto insurance scheme?
Yes. Quebec is a no-fault auto insurance jurisdiction. Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) administers no-fault auto. No tort recovery for motor injury since 1978 reform.
How are settlements typically valued in Quebec?
Practitioners and adjusters in Quebec value claims using the same building blocks applied across Canada: medical specials, future care projections, lost earnings (past and future), and general damages for pain and suffering. The fault rule (no-fault statutory scheme) and any applicable cap then adjust the gross figure. Caps in this state can compress the upper end of the band materially, particularly in catastrophic-injury cases.
Should I hire a Quebec attorney for a personal injury claim?
For anything beyond a clear soft-tissue claim with admitted liability and modest damages, yes. Quebec's fault rule and any applicable caps materially affect the calculus, and adjusters value represented claims significantly higher than unrepresented ones. Most Quebec personal injury attorneys work on contingency (no fee unless you recover), with fees typically in the 33–40% range.
This page summarises the Quebec statutory framework as of 2026-05-09. It is not legal advice. Statutes change, published verdicts move, and the position within any band depends on facts the page can't see. For representation, consult an attorney qualified in Quebec. See /methodology, /sources, and /disclaimer.