Here are examples of small claims court judgments, where consumers asserted their legal warranty rights. This tool can be useful to you in your negotiations with a merchant. For example, it could help you determine a reasonable durability period for your item or estimate the amount of compensation for damages to which you may be entitled.
Cautionary note
These judgment summaries are presented for reference purposes only. An application that was settled in favour of a consumer in one situation may not necessarily result in the same ruling for another consumer.
Several factors can influence a judge's decision regarding a reasonable durability period for an item. These include the price paid, contract clause provisions, the conditions under which the item is used, etc. Remember that each case is different, and every decision is rendered on the basis of the evidence brought before the court.
Exemples of judgments
Refrigerator has problems maintaining temperature 5 years after purchase
Claim allowed in partSummary
Purchase price: $1,569
Claim for $854.06 (for repairs performed)
Amount awarded
$500
Taking into account depreciation
Full judgment (in French only)
Asselin c. Meubles Jacob et Fils ltée
March 2016
Refrigerator purchased in 2008 stopped working six times (145 days) from 2011 to 2015
Claim allowed in partSummary
Purchase price: $2,863 for several appliances, including refrigerator
Claim for $5,760 (for reimbursement of purchase price, among other things)
Amount awarded
$3,945.86
- $1,645.86 for lasting only half of useful life;
- $500 for loss of food;
- $1,800 for inconvenience suffered.
Full judgment (in French only)
Chrétien c. Corbeil Électrique inc.
October 2015
Refrigerator stopped working after 7 months of use
Claim allowedSummary
Purchase price: $1,000
Claim for $1,000 (reimbursement of purchase price)
Amount awarded
$1,114.96
Including $114.96 in evaluation fees
Full judgment (in French only)
Gosselin c. LG Électroniques Canada inc.
June 2015
New refrigerator stopped working properly 14 months after purchase
Claim allowed in partSummary
Purchase price: $732.56, tax included
Claim for $2,000
- $732.56 for reimbursement of purchase price;
- $20 for technician’s fees;
- $400 for loss of food;
- $847.44 for inconvenience suffered.
Amount awarded
$1,652.56
Claim for inconvenience suffered reduced to $500
Full judgment (in French only)
February 2015
Refrigerator’s compressor stopped working approximately 7 years after purchase
Claim allowedSummary
Purchase price: $1,110.08
- Claim for 50% of purchase price;
- $100 for loss of food;
- $100 for inconvenience suffered;
- $86.22 for repairer’s travel expenses.
Amount awarded
$850
Reasons not specified
Full judgment (in French only)
June 2014
Refrigerator stopped working after 6 years of use
Claim allowedSummary
Purchase price: $1,499.96
Claim for $1,499.96
- Damages for loss of use of the good, loss of food;
- loss of days of work;
- broken cabinets;
- costs incurred.
Refrigerator thermostat stopped working after four years of use
Claim allowed in partSummary
Purchase price: not specified
Claim for $374.46
Cost of repairs and loss of food
Amount awarded
$283.48
- $100 for loss of food;
- $183.48 for cost of repairs.
Full judgment (in French only)
January 2014
Compressor of refrigerator stopped working five years and four months after purchase
Claim dismissedSummary
Purchase price: $1,299
Claim or $2,300
- Including the reimbursement of purchase price;
- $400 for loss of food.
Refrigerator leaking less than one year after purchase and freezer stopped working
Claim allowed in partSummary
Purchase price: $1,859.99
Claim for $2,500
- Cost of refrigerator, transportation costs;
- expenses related to repairing the kitchen floor;
- replacing damaged refrigerator doors.
Amount awarded
$930
50% of purchase price
Full judgment (in French only)
February 2013
Réfrigérateur inutilisable environ 7 ans après l’achat
Demande accueillieSummary
Prix payé non précisé
Réclamation de 1 738,35 $
- 1 135,40 $ pour la valeur résiduelle du réfrigérateur;
- 252,95 $ pour les frais du technicien;
- 350 $ pour les inconvénients subis ainsi que la perte d’aliments.
Amount awarded
1 738,35 $
Full judgment (in French only)
Vivier c. LG Électroniques Canada inc.
January 1970
Continuing your search
You can also consult other court decisions concerning legal warranties using the search engine available free of charge on the SOQUIJ website (in French only).
Last update : October 12, 2023
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The information contained on this page is presented in simple terms to make it easier to understand. It does not replace the texts of the laws and regulations.
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