Personal Injury Lawyers

After a fall, an accident or an injury caused by someone else, the first question is usually simple: can I be compensated, and who do I turn to? A personal injury lawyer can tell you which system your situation falls under in Quebec, whether a claim is worth pursuing and what to do first so you do not lose your rights. On this page you can see who handles personal injury files on JustiConnect, compare their experience, rates and availability, and book a consultation online.

Personal injury is one part of civil law. For contracts, property and other private disputes, see our page on civil lawyers.

What a personal injury lawyer does

Whether you were injured yourself or are helping a family member, a lawyer can:

• Identify the right route: a lawsuit, a public compensation plan, or both, depending on how and where the injury happened.
• Assess the claim: who may be responsible, what you have to prove and which deadlines apply.
• Gather the evidence: medical records, witness statements, photos, reports and expert opinions on your injuries and losses.
• Deal with insurers: send a formal demand, answer the insurer and negotiate a settlement.
• Challenge a decision: ask for a review of a decision from a public plan and represent you before the tribunal if needed.
• Go to court: file the claim and represent you at trial if no fair settlement is reached.

Which system covers your injury in Quebec

This is the first thing to sort out, because Quebec does not handle every injury the same way. Several public plans replace the right to sue for certain injuries, and a lawyer's role changes accordingly.

• Car accidents: bodily injuries from a road accident are covered by the SAAQ's public no-fault plan under the Automobile Insurance Act. Victims are compensated whoever was at fault, and in exchange they generally cannot sue for those injuries. A lawyer can still help when a claim is refused or the compensation seems too low.
• Workplace injuries: accidents at work and occupational diseases go through the CNESST. See our page on workers' compensation lawyers.
• Victims of crime: people injured by a criminal act can apply to IVAC, Quebec's crime victims compensation program.
• Everything else: other injuries caused by someone's fault fall under civil liability. Article 1457 of the Civil Code of Québec requires anyone who causes injury to another through their fault to repair it. You generally have to prove a fault, an injury and a causal link between them.

Common personal injury situations

• Slips and falls: an icy sidewalk, a wet floor in a store, a broken staircase.
• Unsafe premises: injuries on someone else's property, in a rental building or at a public venue.
• Medical errors: injuries linked to care in a hospital or clinic. See our page on medical malpractice lawyers.
• Defective products: a product that fails or injures because of a defect or a missing warning. See our page on product liability lawyers.
• Sports, leisure and animals: injuries at a facility, during an organized activity or from a dog bite.
• Assault: a civil claim against the person responsible, alongside any IVAC application.

Suing, settling or challenging a decision

Under civil liability, most claims start with a formal demand to the person responsible or their insurer. Many are settled by negotiation; the others go to the Court of Québec or the Superior Court, depending on the amount claimed. Whether to settle depends on the strength of the evidence, the extent of your injuries and the offer on the table, and a lawyer can give you an honest view before you sign anything.

Under a public plan such as the SAAQ, there is no lawsuit for the injury itself. If you disagree with a decision, you can ask the organization to review it, and a review decision can then be contested before the administrative tribunal. These steps have short deadlines.

In every case, there is a limitation period for bringing a claim, and some claims, for example against a municipality, carry their own notice requirements. Act promptly: waiting can cost you your claim.

When to get a lawyer

• Your injury is serious, lasting or keeps you from working.
• Fault is disputed, or several people may share responsibility.
• An insurer is offering a quick settlement and asking you to sign a release.
• Your SAAQ, CNESST or IVAC claim was refused or the compensation seems too low.
• You are not sure which system applies, or whether you can sue at all.
• A family member died following an accident.

Preparing for your consultation

Write down what happened: the date, the place, how the injury occurred and who was there. Bring photos, incident or police reports, witness names, medical records and receipts, and any letters from an insurer or a public plan. Note your losses, such as time off work, care costs and how the injury affects your daily life.

Ask the lawyer how they charge, whether contingency arrangements are possible in your situation, and who pays for expert reports. Do not sign a settlement or release before getting advice.

Compare and book on JustiConnect

Check who is listed below, look at their experience, languages, rates and availability, and book a consultation directly. You can also use the personal injury lawyer search, see who is listed for Montreal, or read our guide to personal injury law in Quebec for more background on civil liability and SAAQ claims.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sue after a car accident in Quebec?

Generally not for bodily injuries: the SAAQ compensates road accident victims on a no-fault basis instead. A lawyer can help you contest a SAAQ decision, and can tell you whether your situation falls outside the plan.

Is it worth making a personal injury claim?

It depends on how serious your injuries are, how clear the fault is and what evidence you have. A first consultation helps you weigh the effort against what you may recover before you commit.

Is it better to sue or settle?

Most civil claims settle, which is faster and more certain. Going to court can make sense when the offer does not reflect your losses. A lawyer can assess the offer against the evidence before you decide.

How do personal injury lawyers charge?

Arrangements vary: hourly rates, fixed fees for some steps, or a contingency arrangement in some cases. Ask about fees and expert costs at your first consultation and get the agreement in writing.

Is there a deadline to claim?

Yes. Civil claims are subject to a limitation period, and public plans have their own deadlines to apply and to contest a decision. Get advice as soon as possible after the injury.