Reimbursement for costs of social services
“cost of the social services” includes the cost of future social services;(coût des services sociaux)
“social services” means the social services provided under Parts I, II and III.(services sociaux)
142.1(2)Where, as a result of the negligence or wrongful act of another, a person suffers personal injuries for which he receives social services, he
(a)
shall have the same right to claim and to recover the cost of the social services against the person who was negligent or who did the wrongful act as he would have had if he, himself, had been required to pay for the social services, and
(b)
if he makes any claim for the personal injuries suffered against the person who was negligent or who did the wrongful act, shall claim and seek to recover the cost of the social services.
142.1(3)Where under subsection (2), a person either acting for himself or on behalf of another person, recovers a sum in respect of the social services received, he shall as soon as practicable pay such sum recovered to the Minister.
142.1(4)Where, as a result of the negligence or wrongful act of another, a person suffers personal injuries for which he receives social services and he does not claim against the person who was negligent or who did the wrongful act, the Crown in right of the Province may maintain an action in the name of the Crown or in the name of the injured person for recovery of the cost of the social services.
142.1(5)Where, as a result of the negligence or wrongful act of another, a person suffers personal injuries for which he receives social services and a claim is made against the person who was negligent or who did the wrongful act but the person making the claim, either acting on his own behalf or on behalf of another person, does not
(a)
claim for the cost of the social services,
(b)
if a release is given or the claim is settled, obtain a written approval of the release or settlement in accordance with subsection (10) or (11), or
(c)
pay any sum recovered in respect of the social services to the Minister in accordance with subsection (3),
the Crown in right of the Province may maintain an action in the name of the Crown against the person making the claim, whether acting on his own behalf or on behalf of another person, for recovery of the cost of the social services.
142.1(6)It shall not be a defence to an action brought by the Crown under subsection (5) that a release has been given, a claim has been settled or a judgment obtained unless
(a)
the claim included a claim for the cost of the social services, and
(b)
if a release is given or the claim is settled, the Minister has under subsection (10) or (11) approved the release or settlement.
142.1(7)Where the Minister approves in writing a release or settlement under subsection (11), the Crown in right of the Province may continue the action or maintain an action in the name of the Crown for recovery of the cost of the social services.
142.1(8)Subject to subsection (11), where, as a result of a claim under this section
(a)
the claim is settled or a judgment is obtained, and
(b)
insufficient funds are available to provide complete recovery to the injured person for his losses and injuries and to pay the cost of social services,
the injured person and the Crown in right of the Province shall share pro rata in proportion to their respective losses in any recovery in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed by regulation.
142.1(9)No person, acting for himself or on behalf of another person, shall, without the approval in writing under subsection (10) or (11) of the Minister make a settlement of a claim based upon a cause of action for damages for personal injuries in a case where the injured person has received social services unless at the same time he makes a settlement to recover the same pro rata proportion in respect of the cost of the social services as the injured person is to recover in respect of his losses and injuries.
142.1(10)No release or settlement of a claim or judgment based upon a cause of action for damages for personal injuries in a case where the injured person has received social services is binding upon the Crown unless the Minister has approved the release or settlement in writing.
142.1(11)Notwithstanding subsection (10), where a person who makes a claim under subsection (2) has obtained an offer for a settlement whereby the same pro rata proportion of the cost of social services would be recovered as the injured person would recover in respect of his losses and injuries but, in the opinion of the Minister, the offer would not provide sufficient recovery in respect of the social services, the Minister may approve in writing a release or settlement whereby the person making a claim under subsection (2) makes a settlement of a claim in respect of his injuries or losses without making a settlement in respect of the cost of the social services but the written approval is not binding on the Crown in relation to a claim made under subsection (7) in respect of the cost of the social services.
142.1(12)Where a person whose negligent or wrongful act resulted in personal injuries to another is insured by a liability insurer carrying on business in the Province and a claim made in respect of those personal injuries does not include a claim for the cost of the social services received by the injured person, the liability insurer shall pay to the Minister the cost of the social services and payment of that amount to the Minister discharges the liability to the insurer to pay the cost of the social services in any subsequent claim to the insured person or any person claiming under or on behalf of the insured person.
142.1(13)Every liability insurer carrying on business in the Province shall provide the Minister, when requested to do so, information relating to
(a)
a claim made against an insured person by a person who received social services, or
(b)
the terms and conditions of any settlement entered into by an insured person and a person who received social services.
142.1(14)Notwithstanding section 141, in an action under this section a certificate signed or purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the Minister shall be accepted by all courts
(i)
that the person named in the certificate has received social services,
(ii)
that the amount recorded in the certificate is the cost of the social services received by the person named in the certificate, and
(iii)
of the office, authority and signature of the person signing or purporting to sign the certificate, without proof of his appointment, authority or signature, and
(b)
as
prima facie proof that the social services were received in respect of the personal injuries suffered.
142.1(15)This section applies except where the personal injuries occurred as a result of the use or operation of a motor vehicle registered in the Province.
1988, c.13, s.7; 1992, c.80, s.2; 2016, c.37, s.66; 2019, c.2, s.54; 2023, c.17, s.87