Structuring Construction Contract Insurance, Indemnification and...
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Presenting a live 90-minute webinar with interactive Q&A
Structuring Construction Contract Insurance,
Indemnification and Limitations
on Liability Clauses Negotiating Key Provisions to Allocate Risk and Minimize Exposure
Today’s faculty features:
1pm Eastern | 12pm Central | 11am Mountain | 10am Pacific
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2017
Joann M. Lytle, Partner, McCarter & English, Philadelphia
Katie Pfeifer, Of Counsel, Dorsey & Whitney, Minneapolis
David Taubenfeld, Partner, Haynes & Boone, Dallas
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CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT INSURANCE, INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION ON LIABILITY CLAUSES
By
Joann M. Lytle, Esq.
McCarter & English, LLP 1600 Market Street
Suite 3900
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-979-3800
Information which is copyrighted by and proprietary to Insurance Services Office,
Inc. ("ISO Material") is included in this publication. Use of the ISO Material is
limited to ISO Participating Insurers and their Authorized Representatives. Use by
ISO Participating Insurers is limited to use in those jurisdictions for which the
insurer has an appropriate participation with ISO. Use of the ISO Material by Authorized Representatives is limited to use solely on behalf of one or more ISO
Participating Insurers.
August 2, 2017
Contractual Insurance Requirements
§ 11.1.1 The Contractor shall purchase from and maintain in a company or companies lawfully authorized to do business in the jurisdiction in which the Project is located such insurance as will protect the Contractor from claims set forth below which may arise out of or result from the Contractor’s operations and completed operations under the Contract and for which the Contractor may be legally liable, whether such operations be by the Contractor or by a Subcontractor or by anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of them, or by anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable:
.1 Claims under workers’ compensation, disability benefit and other similar employee benefit acts that are applicable to the Work to be performed;
.2 Claims for damages because of bodily injury, occupational sickness or disease, or death of the Contractor’s employees;
.3 Claims for damages because of bodily injury, sickness or disease, or death of any person other than the Contractor’s employees;
.4 Claims for damages insured by usual personal injury liability coverage;
.5 Claims for damages, other than to the Work itself, because of injury to or destruction of tangible property, including loss of use resulting therefrom;
.6 Claims for damages because of bodily injury, death of a person or property damage arising out of ownership, maintenance or use of a motor vehicle;
.7 Claims for bodily injury or property damage arising out of completed operations; and
.8 Claims involving contractual liability insurance applicable to the Contractor’s obligations under Section 3.18.
AIA A-201 2007
6
Contractual Insurance Requirements
§ 11.1.2 The insurance required by Section 11.1.1 shall be written for not less than limits of liability specified in the Contract Documents or required by law, whichever coverage is greater. Coverages, whether written on an occurrence or claims-made basis, shall be maintained without interruption from the date of commencement of the Work until the date of final payment and termination of any coverage required to be maintained after final payment, and, with respect to the Contractor’s completed operations coverage, until the expiration of the period for correction of Work or for such other period for maintenance of completed operations coverage as specified in the Contract Documents.
AIA A-201 2007
7
Contractual Insurance Requirements
§ 11.1.3 Certificates of insurance acceptable to the Owner shall be filed with the Owner prior to commencement of the Work and thereafter upon renewal or replacement of each required policy of insurance. These certificates and the insurance policies required by this Section 11.1 shall contain a provision that coverages afforded under the policies will not be canceled or allowed to expire until at least 30 days’ prior written notice has been given to the Owner. An additional certificate evidencing continuation of liability coverage, including coverage for completed operations, shall be submitted with the final Application for Payment as required by Section 9.10.2 and thereafter upon renewal or replacement of such coverage until the expiration of the time required by Section 11.1.2. Information concerning reduction of coverage on account of revised limits or claims paid under the General Aggregate, or both, shall be furnished by the Contractor with reasonable promptness.
AIA A-201 2007
8
Contractual Insurance Requirements – Additional Insured Coverage
§ 11.1.4 The Contractor shall cause the commercial liability coverage required by the Contract Documents to include (1) the Owner, the Architect and the Architect’s Consultants as additional insureds for claims caused in whole or in part by the Contractor’s negligent acts or omissions during the Contractor’s operations; and (2) the Owner as an additional insured for claims caused in whole or in part by the Contractor’s negligent acts or omissions during the Contractor’s completed operations.
AIA A-201 2007
9
10
What is Additional Insured Coverage?
Risk transfer method that allows one party
to a business relationship to obtain
coverage under another party’s policy.
Who Are The Players?
Additional Insured – the party seeking to
take advantage of another party’s
coverage.
Named Insured – the party whose policy
is providing coverage to the Additional
Insured.
11
Benefits for Additional Insured
Coverage without premium.
Doesn’t erode additional insured’s own limits
of liability.
No responsibility for deductibles.
Particularly important for companies who are
self-insured or who have retentions on their
own policies.
12
Benefits for Additional Insured
Supports indemnity obligation, which only has
value if the indemnitor has assets to fulfill it.
Defense coverage, without having to wait for a
resolution of the indemnity obligation.
Can be independent of, and provide broader
protection than, the indemnity obligation, i.e.,
for the additional insured’s negligence.
– Important where applicable state’s law prohibits
indemnification for one’s own negligence.
13
Implications for Named Insured
Pros
– Allows transfer of the obligation to defend and
indemnify the indemnitee to the insurer.
Cons
– Erosion of limits.
– Limits shared by all insureds.
– Limits used to pay claims for which the Additional
Insured may be partly or entirely at fault.
– Responsibility for deductible.
– Higher premiums down the road based on loss
experience. 14
How Does One Become An Additional Insured?
Generally requires both a contract between the
parties and an additional insured provision in an
insurance policy.
A contractual obligation to provide insurance is
ineffective unless the Named Insured’s policy
contains an Additional Insured Clause.
Usually in an endorsement.
15
Typical Additional Insured Claim
Contract requiring that general contractor be added as additional insured.
Subcontractor’s Insurance Company
Lawsuit alleging sole negligence of general contractor
Does additional insured’s liability to named insured’s employee “arise out of” named insured’s ongoing operations? Was it caused “in whole or in part” by named insured’s acts or omissions?
Injured Employee
Subcontractor
(Named Insured)
General Contractor
(Additional Insured)
16
Common Additional Insured Disputes
Scope of coverage
– Does it cover additional insured’s sole
negligence?
How much coverage is the additional insured
entitled to?
Whose coverage is primary?
ISO has attempted to address these issues
17
Coverage for Additional Insured’s Own Negligence
Prior to 2004, a number of ISO additional insured
endorsements provided coverage for liability
“arising out of” the Named Insured’s operations
for the Additional Insured.
A number of courts construed “arising out of” to
be the same as “but for” causation.
If the liability would not have arisen “but for” the
named insured’s involvement, the additional
insured has coverage.
18
Coverage for Additional Insured’s Own Negligence
McIntosh v. Scottsdale Ins. Co., 992 F.2d 251 (10th Cir. 1993) (festival
patron injured on fairgrounds brought suit against
township/additional insured. Festival operator’s insurer obligated to
cover township, even though township stipulated that it was 100%
negligent, since injuries “arose out of” Festival’s operations).
Allen-Stevenson School v. Burlington Ins. Co., 2008 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS
10587 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. Mar. 31, 2008) (“The additional insured
language…defines coverage…based on the scope of the named
insured’s work. As long as the claim against the additional insured
arises out of the named insured’s work, coverage is provided under
the Endorsement.”).
Mid-Continent Cas. Co. v. Swift Energy Co., 206 F.3d 487 (5th Cir.
2000) (finding that injuries to named insured’s employee “arose out
of” named insured’s operations, even if the cause of the injuries was
the sole negligence of the additional insured).
19
The 2004 Amendments to ISO’s Endorsements
In response to these cases, in 2004, ISO
amended some of its most commonly-used
additional insured endorsements to make clear
that the additional insured’s sole negligence is
not covered.
Additional Insured only has coverage with
respect to liability for BI or PD caused, in whole
or in part, by the Named Insured’s conduct.
20
Includes copyrighted material of
Insurance Services Office, Inc., with its permission.
Comparison Of Pre- And Post-2004 Versions Of ISO CG 20 10
21
Comparison Of 2004 and 2013 Versions Of ISO CG 20 10
2004 CG 20 10
A. Section II. Who Is An Insured is amended to include as an additional insured the person(s) or organization(s)
shown in the Schedule, but only with respect to liability for “bodily injury”, “property damage” or “personal and
advertising injury” caused, in whole or in part, by:
1. Your acts or omissions; or
2. The acts or omissions of those acting on your behalf;
in the performance of your ongoing operations for the additional insured(s) at the location(s) designated above.
2013 CG 20 10
A. Section II – Who is An Insured is amended to include as an additional insured the person(s) or organization(s)
shown in the Schedule, but only with respect to liability for
“bodily injury”, “property damage” or “personal and advertising injury” caused, in whole or in part, by:
1. Your acts or omissions; or
2. The acts or omissions of those acting on your behalf;
In the performance of your ongoing operations for the additional insured(s) at the location(s) designated
above.
However:
1. The insurance afforded to such additional insured only
applies to the extent permitted by law; and
2. If coverage provided to the additional insured is
required by a contract or agreement, the insurance afforded to such additional insured will not be broader
than that which you are required by the contract or agreement to provide such additional insured.
Includes copyrighted material of
Insurance Services Office, Inc., with its permission. 22
Did ISO’s Amendment Resolve The Issue?
Maybe not --
– In Gilbane, Admiral argued that since the complaint
contained no allegations of negligence on the part of Empire
(the Subcontractor/Named Insured), or anyone acting on its
behalf, the General Contractor, Gilbane, was not covered as
an additional insured.
Gilbane Building Co. v. Empire Steel Erectors, L.P., 691 F. Supp. 2d 712
(S.D.Tex. 2010), aff’d in part, rev’d in part, 664 F. 3d 589 (5th Cir. 2011)
23
Did ISO’s Amendment Resolve The Issue? (cont.)
The District Court speculated that the named
insured’s negligence had not been pled because of
the statutory immunity of the Workers’
Compensation bar, but
Concluded that the claimant’s negligence could be
presumed and imputed to the named insured, thus
triggering Admiral’s duty to defend.
24
Did ISO’s Amendment Resolve The Issue? (cont.)
The Fifth Circuit reversed the district court’s ruling on
the duty to defend, finding that Parr’s negligence
could not be presumed.
– Applying the eight-corners rule, the Fifth Circuit concluded
that Admiral was only obligated to defend the GC/additional
insured “if the underlying pleadings allege[d] that Empire, or
someone acting on its behalf, proximately caused Parr’s
injuries.” 664 F.3d at 598.
25
Did ISO’s Amendment Resolve The Issue? (cont.)
The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court’s finding
that Admiral was required to indemnify the
additional insured:
– A co-worker’s recount of Parr’s statement, immediately after he
fell, that his “‘feet got wrapped up in the extension cord’” was
persuasive. 664 F.3d at 601.
– The District Court properly “consider[ed] facts outside of those
alleged in the petition in determining the duty to indemnify.” Id.
26
Revised CG 20 10 Does Not Limit Coverage To Vicarious Liability
American Empire Surplus Lines Ins. Co. v. Crum
& Forster Specialty Ins. Co., No. H-06-004, 2006
U.S. Dist. LEXIS 33556 (S.D. Tex. May 23, 2006)
(language of endorsement requiring that Additional
Insured’s liability arise, in whole or in part, out of
Named Insured’s conduct, does not limit coverage to
vicarious liability, but provides coverage where both
Named Insured and Additional Insured are
negligent).
27
Whose Coverage is Primary?
Formerly a hotly-disputed issue.
ISO attempted to resolve the dispute in the CGL
policy itself.
The 2001 and later versions of the ISO CGL Policy
(CG 00 01 10 01) contain an amended Other
Insurance Clause (Section IV).
28
29
“Other Insurance Clause” 2013 ISO Amendments
Primary And Noncontributory – Other
Insurance Condition (CG 20 01 04 13) This insurance is primary to and will not seek contribution from any
other insurance available to an additional insured under your
policy provided that:
(1) The additional insured is a Named Insured under such other
insurance; and
(2) You have agreed in writing in a contract or agreement that this
insurance would be primary and would not seek contribution
from any other insurance available to the additional insured.
30
Verifying Additional Insured Coverage
A certificate of insurance is not proof of
insurance
The Acord form specifically states that
additional insured coverage requires an
endorsement
31
32 32
Verifying Additional Insured Coverage
Ideally, request a full copy of the Named
Insured’s policy.
May not be that simple.
– For some large companies, the extent of their
insurance program, including limits and
deductibles, is a closely-guarded secret.
– In that situation, review the additional insured
endorsement(s), at a minimum.
– Review the Other Insurance Clause, if possible.
33
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Considerations in Drafting the
Indemnification Clause
Katie Pfeifer Dorsey & Whitney LLP Minneapolis, Minnesota (612) 340-2600 [email protected]
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Indemnification Agreements
35
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
• Purposes of Indemnification Agreements
• Indemnification Terms
• Common Indemnification Agreement Forms in the Construction Industry
• Additional Considerations When Drafting/Modifying Indemnification Agreements
36
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Overarching Question
• Indemnification is a contractual agreement; it is interpreted under the same rules governing any other contract
• Goal is to ascertain the intent of the parties
37
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Purposes of Indemnification
Agreements in Construction Contracts
• Allocation and transfer risk (important element of the bid itself)
• Avoid application of strict contributory negligence doctrines in some states
• Avoid (or attempt to avoid) fight amongst participants on the project
• Obtain benefit of (typically) longer contract statute of limitations (versus tort statute of limitations)
38
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Sample Indemnification Provision
“To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Owner, Architect, Architect’s consultants, and agents and employees of any of them from and against claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, arising out of or resulting from performance of the Work, provided that such claim, damage, loss or expense is attributable to bodily injury, sickness, disease or death, or to injury to or destruction of tangible property (other than the Work itself), but only to the extent caused by the negligent acts or omissions of the Contractor, a Subcontractor, anyone directly or indirectly employed by them or anyone for whose acts they may be liable, regardless of whether or not such claim, damage, loss or expense is caused in part by a party indemnified hereunder. . . .”
AIA A201 (2017) General Conditions § 3.18.1.
39
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Basic Indemnification Terms
• Who are the indemnitee and the indemnitor?
• When is the indemnification triggered?
• What types of claims/allegations are to be indemnified?
• What is the scope of the indemnification?
40
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Indemnitee and Indemnitor
• Indemnitor: The party who owes the obligation to indemnify
• Indemnitee: The party who receives the indemnification
• “To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Owner, Architect, Architect’s consultants, and agents and employees of any of them from and against claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, arising out of or resulting from performance of the Work . . . .”
41
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Trigger
• “To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Owner, Architect, Architect’s consultants, and agents and employees of any of them from and against claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, arising out of or resulting from performance of the Work, provided that such claim, damage, loss or expense is attributable to bodily injury, sickness, disease or death, or to injury to or destruction of tangible property (other than the Work itself) . . . .”
• When is indemnification triggered?
– “Claims” – immediately
– “Damages, losses and expenses” – once incurred
– Consider adding “liabilities”
42
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Types of Claims/Allegations to be
Indemnified • “To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Contractor
shall indemnify and hold harmless the Owner, Architect, Architect’s consultants, and agents and employees of any of them from and against claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, arising out of or resulting from performance of the Work, provided that such claim, damage, loss or expense is attributable to bodily injury, sickness, disease or death, or to injury to or destruction of tangible property (other than the Work itself) . . . .”
– Construction contracts generally include indemnification to bodily injury or property damage type claims
• Insurance coverage more likely for these types of claims
– Some contracts also include indemnification for intellectual property type claims
43
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Types of Claims/Allegations to be
Indemnified • What about indemnification for other claims?
– E.g., Breach of contract? Economic loss claims?
– Sample language: “arising, directly or indirectly, from the performance of the Work, breach of this Contract, or a Contractor Party’s negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Project”
44
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Types of Claims/Allegations to be
Indemnified – Sample language: “Contractor shall indemnify, defend,
and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties from and against Indemnified Claims for economic loss (i.e., Indemnified Claims not attributable to bodily injury, sickness, disease or death or to injury to or destruction of tangible property), but only to the extent such economic loss was caused by a breach of this Contract or a Contractor Party’s negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Project.”
– But note: Keep in mind that such language can create problems for insurance coverage
45
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Scope of Indemnification
• Three types
– Narrow/Limited
– Intermediate
– Broad
• General rule: indemnity agreements attempting to shift one’s own negligence are going to be strictly construed against the indemnitee
– See, e.g., Harleysville Ins. Co. v. Physical Distrib. Servs., Inc., 716 F.3d 451 (8th Cir. 2013) (language must be “clear and unequivocal”)
• Be aware of anti-indemnification statutes
46
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Scope of Indemnification
• Narrow or Limited Form Indemnity
– Allows indemnification to indemnitee for losses exclusively caused by the indemnitor’s negligence
– Any negligence by indemnitee will bar indemnification
– Mirrors the obligations imposed by tort law
Allowed
Indemnification:
Subcontractor’s
Negligence
Not Allowed
Indemnification:
General’s
Negligence
47
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Scope of Indemnification
• Intermediate Form Indemnity
– Allows indemnification to indemnitee for loss caused by indemnitor’s fault or negligence
– Allows indemnification to indemnitee for which indemnitor and indemnitee are jointly at fault
• What amount indemnitor pays – all or just the proportionate share – depends on indemnification language
Allowed
Indemnification:
Subcontractor’s
Negligence
(Potentially) Not
Allowed
Indemnification:
General’s
Negligence
48
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Scope of Indemnification
• Broad Form Indemnity
– Broadest protection for indemnitee
– Requires indemnitor to indemnify indemnitee for all liabilities, regardless of which party’s negligence caused the liability
– Most states limit or prohibit the use of broad form indemnity provisions in construction contracts
Allowed
Indemnification:
Subcontractor’s
and General’s
Negligence
49
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Scope of Indemnification
“To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Owner, Architect, Architect’s consultants, and agents and employees of any of them from and against claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, arising out of or resulting from performance of the Work, provided that such claim, damage, loss or expense is attributable to bodily injury, sickness, disease or death, or to injury to or destruction of tangible property (other than the Work itself), but only to the extent caused by the negligent acts or omissions of the Contractor, a Subcontractor, anyone directly or indirectly employed by them or anyone for whose acts they may be liable, regardless of whether or not such claim, damage, loss or expense is caused in part by a party indemnified hereunder.”
– Unedited, AIA is a narrow form of indemnity
50
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Other Provisions
• “To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Owner, Architect, Architect’s consultants, and agents and employees of any of them . . . .”
– Important to try to draft against voiding the entire indemnification obligation if you run afoul of an anti-indemnification statute
– Alternative sample language: “It is agreed that with respect to any legal limitations now or hereafter in effect and affecting the validity and enforceability of the indemnification obligation under this Section [ ], such legal limitations are made a part of the indemnification obligation to the minimum extent necessary to bring Section [ ] into conformity with the requirements of such limitations and, as so modified, the indemnification obligation shall continue in full force and effect.”
51
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Other Provisions
“To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Owner, Architect, Architect’s consultants, and agents and employees of any of them from and against claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, arising out of or resulting from performance of the Work . . . .”
– Duty to defend v. reimbursement of attorneys’ fees
– Difference between “indemnify” and “hold harmless”
52
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Duty to Defend Versus Indemnify
• Duty to defend is separate from and independent of duty to indemnify
– Former is triggered immediately; does not require one to wait until the end for reimbursement
– What does it entail: hiring counsel for indemnitee (and, likely separately, for indemnitor, if also sued); paying costs of litigation (discovery, depositions, expert fees, etc.)
53
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Duty to Defend Versus Indemnify
• Under most states’ common law, there is no duty to defend unless it is included in the contract
– See, e.g., Bellefleur v. Newark Beth Israel Med. Ctr., 66 A.D.3d 807 (N.Y. App. 2009); CSX Transp. V. Chicago & N.W. Transp. Co., 62 F.3d 185 (7th Cir. 1995)
– Without a duty to defend, and barring language providing recovery of attorneys’ fees, there may be no right by the indemnitee to recover its defense costs
• But see Klock v. Grosodonia, 674 N.Y.S.2d 187 (N.Y. App. Div. 1998) (concluding that, based on agreement language, the right to indemnity included recovery of the reasonable costs of defense incurred in good faith)
54
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Duty to Defend Versus Indemnify
• Some exceptions, though:
– See, e.g., Crawford v. Weather Shield Mfg., Inc., 44 Cal. 4th 541, 555 (Cal Ct. App. 2008) (“[T]he case law has long confirmed that, unless the parties’ agreement expressly provides otherwise, a contractual indemnitor has the obligation … to accept and assume the indemnitee’s active defense against claims encompassed by the indemnity provision.”)
55
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Indemnify Versus Hold Harmless
• Most courts hold that “indemnity” and “hold harmless” are synonymous or duplicative
– E.g., Praetorian Ins. Co v. Site Inspection, LLC, 604 F.3d 509 (8th Cir. 2010)
• Some see a distinction though
– “Hold harmless” acts as an exculpatory provision that releases the indemnitee from liability to the indemnitor (e.g., a defense to a claim by the indemnitor)
• E.g., Exxon Mobil Corp. v. New W. Petroleum, LP, 369 Fed. Appx. 805 (9th Cir. 2010); Fernandez v. K-M Indus. Holding Co., 646 F. Supp.2d 1150 (N.D. Cal 2009)
• Not safe to just use “hold harmless” if seeking indemnification for third party claims
56
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Common Indemnification Agreement
Forms in the Construction Industry
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
AIA A201 (2017) General Conditions § 3.18.1. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless the Owner, Architect, Architect’s consultants, and agents and employees of any of them from and against claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, arising out of or resulting from performance of the Work, provided that such claim, damage, loss or expense is attributable to bodily injury, sickness, disease or death, or to injury to or destruction of tangible property (other than the Work itself), but only to the extent caused by the negligent acts or omissions of the Contractor, a Subcontractor, anyone directly or indirectly employed by them or anyone for whose acts they may be liable, regardless of whether or not such claim, damage, loss or expense is caused in part by a party indemnified hereunder. Such obligation shall not be construed to negate, abridge, or reduce other rights or obligations of indemnity that would otherwise exist as to a party or person described in this Section 3.18.
§ 3.18.2. In claims against any person or entity indemnified under this Section 3.18 by an employee of the Contractor, a Subcontractor, anyone directly or indirectly employed by them or anyone for whose acts they may be liable, the indemnification obligation under Section 3.18.1 shall not be limited by a limitation on amount or type of damages, compensation or benefits payable by or for the Contractor or a Subcontractor under workers’ compensation acts, disability benefit acts, or other employee benefit acts.
58
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
AIA A201 (2017) General Conditions
• Prepared by Architects
• Widely used on vertical projects
• AIA Package also includes other indemnification provisions, including a provision for indemnification by the Owner related to hazardous waste risks (§10.3.3), a provision providing indemnification by the Architect to the Owner (AIA B103) and a provision similar to §3.18 providing indemnification by the subcontractor to the Owner, Architect, Contractor, etc. (AIA A401)
59
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
AIA A201 (2017) General Conditions
• § 3.18.2 necessary in some states if you want to ensure indemnification obligation is not affected by the worker’s compensation limitations
– See, e.g., Gatley v. UPS, Inc., 662 F. Supp. 200 (D. Me. 1987) (noting that a waiver of worker’s compensation immunity must be clear and specific)
– Often called a “Kotecki Waiver,” named after Kotecki v. Cyclops Welding Corp., 585 N.E.2d 1023 (Ill. 1991)
– But Montana and Oregon workers’ compensation statutes bar indemnification completely
• Raisler v. Burlington N. R.R., 717 P.2d 535 (Mont. 1985)
• Roberts v. Gray's Crane & Rigging, Inc., 697 P.2d 985 (Or. 1985)
60
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
EJCDC C-700 (2013) 7.18 Indemnification
A. To the fullest extent permitted by Laws and Regulations, and in addition to any other obligations of Contractor under the Contract or otherwise, Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless Owner and Engineer, and the officers, directors, members, partners, employees, agents, consultants and subcontractors of each and any of them from and against all claims, costs, losses, and damages (including but not limited to all fees and charges of engineers, architects, attorneys, and other professionals and all court or arbitration or other dispute resolution costs) arising out of or relating to the performance of the Work, provided that any such claim, cost, loss or damage is attributable to bodily injury, sickness, disease, or death, or to injury to or destruction of tangible property (other than the Work itself), including the loss of use resulting therefrom but only to the extent caused by any negligent act or omission of Contractor, any Subcontractor, any Supplier, or any individual or entity directly or indirectly employed by any of them to perform any of the Work or anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable.
B. In any and all claims against Owner or Engineer or any of their officers, directors, members, partners, employees, agents, consultants, or subcontractors by any employee (or the survivor or personal representative of such employee) of Contractor, any Subcontractor, any Supplier, or any individual or entity directly or indirectly employed by any of them to perform any of the Work, or anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable, the indemnification obligation under Paragraph 7.18.A shall not be limited in any way by any limitation on the amount or type of damages, compensation, or benefits payable by or for Contractor or any such Subcontractor, Supplier, or other individual or entity under workers’ compensation acts, disability benefit acts, or other employee benefit acts.
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CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
EJCDC C-700 (2013)
• Engineers Joint Contract Document Committee
• ACEC, ASCE, NSPE
• More typically used on horizontal projects
• Applies to owner/contractor agreements
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CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
ConsensusDOCS (2017) 10.1 Indemnity
10.1.1 To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless Owner, Owner’s officers, directors, members, consultants, agents and employees, Design Professional, and Others (the Indemnitee) from all claims for bodily injury and property damage, other than to the Work itself and other property insured, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, that may arise from the performance of the Work, but only to the extent caused by the negligent or intentionally wrongful acts or omissions of Contractor, Subcontractors, Suppliers, Subsubcontractors, or anyone employed directly or indirectly by any of them or by anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable. Contractor shall be entitled to reimbursement of any defense costs paid above Contractor's percentage of liability for the underlying claim to the extent provided for under Subparagraph 10.1.2.
10.1.2 To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Owner shall indemnify and hold harmless Contractor, its officers, directors, members, consultants, agents, and employees, Subcontractors, Suppliers, or anyone employed directly or indirectly by any of them or anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable from all claims for bodily injury and property damage, other than property insured, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses, that may arise from the performance of work by Owner, Design Professional, or Others, but only to the extent caused by the negligent or intentionally wrongful acts or omissions of the Owner, Design Professional, or Others. Owner shall be entitled to reimbursement of any defense costs paid above Owner’s percentage of liability for the underlying claim to the extent provided for under Subparagraph 10.1.1.
10.1.3 [KOTECKI WAIVER]
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CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
ConsensusDOCS
• Endorsed by 40+ organizations
• Includes mutual indemnity
• Based in part off the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) contract documents
• Perceived to be more contractor friendly
64
CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Additional Considerations for Drafting
Indemnification Agreements
• First versus third party claims
• Notice
• Damages limitations/limitations of liability
• Survival Clauses
• Attorneys’ fees for enforcing indemnification
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CONSIDERATIONS IN DRAFTING THE INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE
Questions?
Ms. Pfeifer is a trial attorney and Of Counsel in the Minneapolis office of Dorsey & Whitney.
She represents clients in all types of complex commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis
on insurance coverage disputes, construction litigation, and health care litigation. Her clients
include public and private corporations, for-profit and non-profit entities, financial institutions,
and individuals.
Through her work with the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) of the ABA, Ms.
Pfeifer also serves as a Senior Editor of the CGL Reporter Editorial Board. Written by
practicing attorneys, the CGL Reporter, published by IRMI, provides annotations of important
coverage decisions from across the nation involving general liability and other business-
related policies, and provides commentary on cases and their implications to risk
management, insurance, and legal professionals.
Katie Pfeifer
Of Counsel
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
50 South Sixth Street
Suite 1500
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498
(612) 492-6947 : phone
(612) 340-2777 : fax
66
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• Anti-indemnity statutes prohibit certain types of indemnification
agreements in certain contexts
• Most states have enacted some type of anti-indemnity statute
• Most commonly impact oil & gas and construction-related contracts
• These statutes can also impact contractual insurance obligations.
Anti-Indemnity Acts, generally
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Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Acts
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Anti-Indemnity Acts
Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Acts
• Texas (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 127.001, et seq.);
• Louisiana (La. R.S. 9:2780);
• New Mexico (N.M. Stat. Ann. § 56-7-2); and
• Wyoming (Wyo. Stat. §§ 30-1-131 to 30-1-133).
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Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Acts
Texas Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act
• The Texas Legislature enacted the Texas Oilfield Anti-
Indemnity Act (Tex. Civ. P. & Rem. Code §§ 127.001-007) (the
“TOAIA”) after finding that some contractual indemnity
provisions foster an inequity on contractors who enter
agreements relating to oil and gas.
• Applies to agreements pertaining to, collateral to, or affecting
a well for oil, gas, or water, or to mine for a mineral.
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Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Acts
Texas Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act
• Generally, the TOAIA provides that an indemnity provision in an oilfield
contract is void and unenforceable if it attempts to indemnify a person
against loss or liability for damage that:
• (1) “is caused by or results from the sole or concurrent negligence of the
indemnitee, his agent or employee, or an individual contractor directly
responsible to the indemnitee;” and
• (2) arises from personal injury, death, property injury, or any other loss,
damage, or expense that results from those things. Tex. Civ. P. & Rem.
Code § 127.003.
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Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Acts
Exceptions Under the Texas Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act
Loss or liability for damages or an expense arising from:
(1) personal injury, death, or property injury that results from radioactivity;
(2) property injury that results from pollution, including cleanup and control of the
pollutant;
(3) property injury that results from reservoir or underground damage, including loss of
oil, gas, other mineral substance, or water or the well bore itself;
(4) personal injury, death, or property injury that results from the performance of services
to control a wild well to protect the safety of the general public or to prevent depletion of
vital natural resources; or
(5) cost of control of a wild well, underground or above the surface.”
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Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Acts
Exceptions Under the Texas Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act
Section 127.005 – Safe Harbor Provision
• Act does not apply to an indemnity agreement if “the parties agree in
writing that the indemnity obligation will be supported by liability
insurance coverage to be furnished by the indemnitor,” subject to
limitations enumerated in the statute.
• The provision of the statute relating to insurance considers two types of
indemnity obligations:
• mutual indemnity obligations and unilateral indemnity obligations.
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Other States’ Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Acts
Louisiana Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act (“LOIA”)
• Invalidates certain indemnification agreements contained in contracts
“pertaining to wells for oil, gas or water.” La. Rev. Stat. § 9:2780.
• Unlike the TOAIA, the LOIA does not apply to property damage, but is
limited to death or bodily injury to persons. Id. at §9:2780(A)-(B).
• LOIA also generally excepts out claims related to pollution, radioactivity,
oil spill cleanup and wild well costs. Id. at § 9:2780(F).
• If an indemnity provision as written violates the statute, it will be entirely
void. Meloy v. Conoco, Inc., 504 So. 2d 833, 839 (La. 1987).
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Other States’ Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Acts
New Mexico Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act (“NMOAIA”)
• Prohibits indemnity provisions in agreements “pertaining to a well for oil, gas
or water, or mine for a mineral” that purport to indemnify an indemnitee for his
or her own negligence. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 56-7-2(A).
• Such an agreement means one: “(1) concerning any operations related to
drilling, deepening, reworking, repairing, improving, testing, treating,
perforating, acidizing, logging, conditioning, altering, plugging or otherwise
rendering services in connection with a well drilled for the purpose of
producing or disposing of oil, gas or other minerals or water; (2) for rendering
services in connection with a mine shaft, drift or other structure intended for
use in the exploration for or production of a mineral; or (3) to perform a portion
of the work or services [above].” Id. at § 56-7-2(B).
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Other States’ Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Acts
New Mexico Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act (“NMOAIA”)
• Does not apply to distribution, processing, or transportation activities. See Holguin v
Fulco Oil Servs., LLC, 245 P.3d 42, 47-48 (N.M. App. 2010).
• Covers death, personal injury, property damage, as well as situations involving
radioactivity, pollution and wild-well control. “A provision…naming a person as an
additional insured…that would, if it were a direct or collateral agreement described
in…this section, be void, is against public policy and void.” N.M. Stat. Ann. § 56-7-
2.
• Even if agreement violates statute, courts will enforce the indemnity clauses to the
extent the clauses require indemnification for the indemnitor’s own fault.
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Other States’ Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Acts
Wyoming Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act (“WOAIA”)
• Applies to agreements “pertaining to any well for oil, gas or water, or mine for
any mineral.” W.S. § 30-1-131.
• Covers almost any kind of damage (bodily injury, property damage, etc.).
• Wyoming case law limits the statute to agreements that involve work “closely
related to well drilling.” See Reliance Ins Co. v. Chevron USA Inc., 713 P.2d
766, 770 (Wyo. 1986).
• Provisions violating the statute are only “void and unenforceable to the extent
that such contract of indemnity by its terms purports to relieve the indemnitee
of from loss or liability for his own negligence.” See Wyo. Stat. § 30-1-131.
• No prohibition on insurance coverage.
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Construction Anti-Indemnity Acts
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Anti-Indemnity Acts
Construction Anti-Indemnity Acts
• Majority of states have enacted anti-indemnity acts, generally
applying to construction-related contracts or agreements.
• The statutes vary state by state. Some statutes prohibit
broad form indemnity agreements while other statutes
prohibit intermediate form indemnity agreements.
• All states allow limited form indemnity agreements.
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There are 3 forms of Indemnity
• Broad Form
• Intermediate Form
• Limited Form
Types of Indemnity Clauses
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Broad Form
• Indemnitor assume responsibility for indemnitee’s
negligence, regardless whether the indemnitor was at fault,
at partial fault, or at no fault at all.
• The entire risk of the loss is transferred to the indemnitor.
• This type of indemnity clause is most often unenforceable
under states’ anti-indemnity statutes.
Types of Indemnity Clauses
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Intermediate Form – Full Indemnity
• Indemnitor assumes responsibility for its own negligence, if
it is solely at fault or partially at fault. If the indemnitee is
solely at fault, there is not indemnity responsibility for the
indemnitor.
• Full Indemnity: If the indemnitor is partially at fault, he pays
all the damages.
Types of Indemnity Clauses
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Intermediate Form – Partial Indemnity
• Indemnitor assumes responsibility for its own negligence, if
it is solely at fault or partially at fault. If the indemnitee is
solely at fault, there is not indemnity responsibility for the
indemnitor.
• Partial Indemnity: Indemnitor only pays damages to the
extent the indemnitor was at fall. For example, if the
indemnitor is 30% at fault, he will only indemnify the
indemnitee for 30% of the damages.
Types of Indemnity Clauses
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Limited Form
• Indemnitor assumes only the responsibility for its own
negligence, if it is solely at fault.
• There is no protection if the indemnitee is even partially at
fault.
• All fifty states allow limited indemnity provisions.
Types of Indemnity Clauses
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Anti-Indemnity Acts
Construction Anti-Indemnity Acts
• States with Acts Prohibiting Broad Form Indemnity:
• Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii,
Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana*, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South
Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and West
Virginia
* specifically refers to public contracts
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Anti-Indemnity Acts
Construction Anti-Indemnity Acts
• States with Acts Prohibiting Intermediate Form Indemnity:
• Arizona*, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,
Florida*, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana*,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New York,
North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island,
Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
*specifically refers to public contracts
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Anti-Indemnity Acts:
Additional Insured Loophole
• Arizona*, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas have all enacted legislation that addresses this additional insured loophole.
Some of These Statutes Close the Loophole
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Anti-Indemnity Acts
Construction Anti-Indemnity Acts
• States Without an Anti-Indemnity Act:
• Alabama, District of Columbia, Maine, North Dakota,
Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wyoming (although Wyoming
has enacted an Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act)
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Texas Construction Anti-Indemnity Act
Texas Insurance Code § 151 et. seq.
• Tex. Ins. Code § 151.101: Applicability
• Applies to a construction contract for a construction project for which an
indemnitor is provided or procures insurance subject to this chapter or
Title 10.
• This applicability requirement applies regardless whether the insurance
is provided or procured before or after execution of the contract.
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Texas Construction Anti-Indemnity Act
Texas Insurance Code § 151 et. seq.
• Tex. Ins. Code § 151.102
• A provision in a construction contract, or in an agreement collateral to or
affecting a construction contract, is void and unenforceable as against
public policy to the extent that it requires an indemnitor to indemnify, hold
harmless, or defend a party, including a third party, against a claim caused
by the negligence or fault, the breach or violation of a statute, ordinance,
governmental regulation, standard, or rule, or the breach of contract of the
indemnitee, its agent or employee, or any third party under the control or
supervision of the indemnitee, other than the indemnitor or its agent,
employee, or subcontractor of any tier.
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Texas Construction Anti-Indemnity Act
Texas Insurance Code § 151 et. seq.
• Definition of Construction Contract (Tex. Ins. Code § 151.001(5))
• A contract, subcontract, or agreement, or a performance bond
• Entered into or made by an owner, architect, engineer, contractor,
construction manager, subcontractor, supplier, or material or
equipment lessor
• for the design, construction, alteration, renovation, remodeling,
repair, or maintenance of, or for the furnishing of material or
equipment for, a building, structure, appurtenance, or other
improvement to or on public or private real property, including
moving, demolition, and excavation connected with the real property.
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Texas Construction Anti-Indemnity Act
Texas Insurance Code § 151 et. seq.
• Definition of Construction Project (Tex. Ins. Code § 151.001(2))
• Construction, remodeling, maintenance, or repair of improvements
to real property.
• The term includes the immediate construction location and areas
incidental and necessary to the work as defined in the construction
contract documents.
• A construction project under this chapter does not include a single
family house, townhouse, duplex, or land development directly
related thereto.
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Texas Construction Anti-Indemnity Act
Texas Insurance Code § 151 et. seq.
• EXCEPTIONS
• Employee Claims (Tex. Ins. Code § 151.103)
• Named Insured to an Insurance Policy (Tex. Ins. Code § 151.104(b))
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Texas Construction Anti-Indemnity Act
Texas Insurance Code § 151 et. seq.
• Section 151.105 Exclusions • Consolidated Insurance Programs
• Breach of contract or warranty actions
• Loan and financing documents (other than construction contracts to which
lenders are parties)
• General agreements of indemnity required by sureties
• Workers’ compensation benefits and protections
• Agreements subject to Ch. 127 of Tex. Civ. P. & Rem. Code
• License or access agreements with railroad companies
• Indemnity provisions pertaining to copyright infringement claims
• Construction contracts pertaining to residences
• Public works projects of municipalities
• Joint defense agreements entered into after claim is made
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Wyoming Case Law – Mid-Continent Cas. Co. v. True Oil Co., 767 F.3d 1000, 1006 (10th Cir. 2014).
• The Wyoming Anti-Indemnity Statute—Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 30-1-131—
voided an agreement that attempted to require a contractor to
indemnify an oil and gas well owner for the owner’s own negligence.
• However, a contract may include a clause requiring an indemnitor to
indemnify an indemnitee for the indemnitor’s own negligence.
Anti-Indemnity Statutes In Action
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North Dakota Case Law - Chapman v. Hiland Partners GP Holdings, No. 1:13-cv-052, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 128119, at *16-18 (D.N.D. Sept. 10, 2014).
• North Dakota’s anti-indemnification statute—N.D.C.C. § 22-02-
10(2)—voided a master service contract that required a subcontractor
to indemnify an owner of a natural gas processing facility for the
owner’s own negligence.
• The North Dakota legislature enacted § 22-02-10 of the North Dakota
Century Code in 2009.
Anti-Indemnity Statutes In Action
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Mississippi Case Law – Deviney Constr. Co. v. Ace Util. Boring & Trenching, No. 3:13cv60-DPJ-FKB, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 88658, at *27-28 (S.D. Miss. June 30, 2014).
• Under Mississippi’s anti-indemnity statute, any promise to “indemnify
or hold harmless another person from that person’s own negligence is
void as against public policy and wholly unenforceable.” Miss. Code.
Ann. § 31-5-41.
Anti-Indemnity Statutes In Action
ADDITIONAL INSURED COVERAGE vs. INDEMNITY
How broad is additional insured coverage?
Does it essentially back-stop the Named Insured’s
contractual indemnity obligation?
– Which clause appears first in the contract – indemnity or
insurance?
Does it cover more than the Additional Insured would be
able to recover under the Indemnity Agreement?
– What if the indemnity agreement contains a monetary cap?
– What if the insurance provision states that the Additional
Insured will receive coverage in the minimum amount of $________?
100
Contractual Limitations on Additional Insured Coverage
• Examples: – “The coverage provided to the additional insured shall not
exceed, and is limited by, the scope of coverage and limits
of liability the Named Insured has agreed by contract to
procure for the additional insured.”
– “Owner shall be included under Contractor’s insurance as
an additional insured with respect to claims and/or liability
arising out of Work performed for Owner by Contractor, but
only to the extent of Contractor’s indemnity obligation in
Section 13.b. herein. In no event shall Owner be an
additional insured with respect to claims and/or liability
that do not arise out of the sole negligence or other
actionable fault of Contractor.”
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Scope of Additional Insured Coverage
What if the indemnity agreement is
unenforceable?
– For example, an agreement that purports to
indemnify the indemnitee for its own negligence?
– In a state where such an agreement is void as
against public policy?
102
Gilbane Building Co. v. Empire Steel Erectors, L.P., 691 F. Supp. 2d 712 (S.D.Tex. 2010), aff’d in part, rev’d in part, 664 F.
3d 589 (5th Cir. 2011)
Parr, an employee of Empire Steel, a
Subcontractor, fell off a ladder at a
construction site and sued Gilbane Building
Co., the General Contractor.
103
Gilbane Building Co. v. Empire Steel Erectors, L.P., 691 F. Supp. 2d 712 (S.D.Tex. 2010), aff’d in part, rev’d in part, 664 F. 3d 589 (5th Cir. 2011) (cont.)
Admiral Ins. Co. argued that because the indemnity agreement in the
Trade Contractor Agreement was unenforceable under TX law,
Gilbane was not covered as an additional insured.
The District Court rejected this argument, finding that the indemnity
and insurance provisions were separate clauses that do not reference
each other, are not intertwined or interrelated, and on their face stand
independently as separate obligations.
The 5th Circuit affirmed, finding that the indemnity agreement, even
though unenforceable, met the policy’s definition of an “insured
contract” and that Gilbane was an additional insured.
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Impact of Anti-Indemnity Statutes on Additional Insured Coverage
Recently, some states (e.g., California, Colorado, Kansas and
New Mexico) have enacted legislation prohibiting coverage for
the additional insured’s own negligence where that negligence
could not be transferred via an indemnity agreement.
In states where additional insured status is within the
jurisdiction of the anti-indemnity statute, an additional insured’s
coverage cannot be broader than its protection as an
indemnitee.
105
Kansas Stat. S. 16-121
For example, Kansas Stat. (“KSA”) S. 16-121 (2011) in
relevant part provides:
– (b) “An indemnification provision in a contract which
requires the promisor to indemnify the promisee for the
promisee’s negligence or intentional acts or omissions is
against public policy and is void and unenforceable.”
– (c) “A provision in a contract which requires a party to
provide liability coverage to another party, as an
additional insured, for such party’s own negligence or
intentional acts is against public policy and is void and
unenforceable.”
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Final Thoughts
Additional insured coverage may provide more – or
less – coverage than the parties anticipated.
Review the actual insurance policy or the additional
insured endorsements.
Review indemnity and insurance provisions before
contracts are signed.
Consider any applicable legislation which may
impact the additional insured’s right to coverage.
Caution the business units about signing contracts
containing indemnity and/or additional insured
clauses. 107
Joann M. Lytle Partner Philadelphia
Joann Lytle is a partner in McCarter & English, LLP’s policyholder
insurance coverage group. Joann helps corporate policyholders
maximize their insurance assets and has recovered hundreds of
millions of dollars for a wide range of companies, including those in the
food services, manufacturing and health care industries. She has
handled disputes involving commercial general liability, umbrella
liability, errors and omissions liability, directors and officers liability,
employment practices liability and cyber liability policies. In addition to
representing policyholders in coverage disputes, Joann also provides
insurance coverage advice and counseling to her clients on an
ongoing basis. She graduated maxima cum laude from LaSalle
University in 1987 and obtained her J.D., cum laude, from Harvard
Law School in 1990. Business Insurance Magazine recognized Joann
as one of its 2014 “Women to Watch.” In 2014, she was recognized
by Chambers USA as a “Leader in Their Field.” Joann was selected
as the exclusive Pennsylvania winner of the Lexology Client Choice
Award in 2013 and 2014. Joann has also been recognized in Best
Lawyers in America since 2008.
PRACTICE GROUP
Insurance Coverage
CONTACT
1600 Market Street
Suite 3900
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.979.3878
EDUCATION
Harvard Law School, J.D.,
cum laude, 1990
La Salle University, B.A., maxima
cum laude, 1987
BAR ADMISSIONS
Pennsylvania
New York
U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
U.S. District Court, Eastern District
of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court, Middle District of
Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court, Southern District
of New York
108