How do you explain a hold harmless clause?

Asked by: Novella Muller  |  Last update: April 3, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (65 votes)

Hold harmless is defined as a promise in a contract , by one party not to hold the other party responsible if the other party carries out the contract in a way that causes damage to the first party.

Do hold harmless agreements hold up in court?

In California, hold harmless agreements are enforceable if they use express contractual language that shifts the risks of certain specified circumstances. Doing so creates an express contractual obligation to indemnify.

What are the three types of hold harmless?

The most commonly used types of hold harmless agreement clauses are the “broad,” “intermediate,” and “limited” form hold harmless clauses. Limited Form Hold Harmless Agreement—Where Party A holds Party B harmless for suits arising out of Party A's sole negligence.

What's another word for "hold harmless"?

The prevailing interpretation is that “hold harmless” and “indemnify” are synonymous. However, under the minority view, “hold harmless” requires payment of both actual losses and potential liabilities, while “indemnify” protects against incurred losses only.

What is the wording for the hold harmless waiver?

I HEREBY AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS RELEASEES FROM ANY AND ALL LOSSES, LIABILITIES, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, INJURIES (INCLUDING DEATH), OR DAMAGES, INCLUDING COURT COSTS AND ATTORNEY'S FEES AND EXPENSES, WHICH MAY OCCUR TO MYSELF, OTHER PARTICIPANTS, OR MY PROPERTY ARISING OUT OF MY PARTICIPATION IN THIS ACTIVITY, ...

What Is A Hold Harmless?

35 related questions found

How do you explain a hold harmless agreement?

A hold harmless agreement, or HHA, is an agreement used to help prevent you or your organization from being held responsible for certain types of bodily injury or property damage. This type of agreement might also be referred to as a liability waiver, disclaimer, hold harmless letter, or release of liability.

What is the verbiage for the hold harmless agreement?

I further hereby AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE RELEASEES from any loss, liability, damage or cost, including court costs and attorney's fees, that they may incur due to my participation in said activity, WHETHER CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE OF RELEASEES or otherwise.

Does a hold harmless agreement need to be notarized?

Hold Harmless Agreement Signing Requirements

Both the indemnitee and indemnifier must sign the Hold Harmless Agreement in the presence of a witness to make it legally binding. Notarization is usually not necessary.

Is there a difference between indemnify and hold harmless?

Where “indemnity” is an offensive right to seek indemnification, “hold harmless” is a defensive right not to be bothered by the other party seeking indemnification.

How to negotiate an indemnity clause?

Negotiating indemnification clauses requires balancing risk allocation with coming to a mutually beneficial agreement. The scope, limitations, triggering events, and types of losses covered should align with the unique risks of the transaction.

What is the hold harmless rule?

The Medicare hold harmless provision limits the annual rise in Medicare Part B premiums deducted from Social Security benefits. Due to this provision, premium increases are limited to no more than the cost of living increase provided to the beneficiary in a given year.

What is the advantage of the hold harmless clause?

A hold harmless clause is commonly added to contracts. The idea is to protect the company and transfer some of the company's liability to you in return for the business they are sending to you. The clause requires that you protect the company with whom you are contracting if they are sued.

What is an example of a no liability clause?

No Liability; Indemnification. Neither the Board nor any Committee member, nor any Person acting at the direction of the Board or the Committee, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement.

How do you say we are not liable for any damages?

The no-responsibility disclaimer is also known as a “disclaimer of liability” — or “no-liability disclaimer” — because it refers to a lack of legal obligation on the part of you or your business. These terms are used interchangeably, and posted disclaimers are sometimes labeled differently within the document.

What is indemnification in simple terms?

Indemnification is a legal agreement by one party to hold another party blameless – not liable – for potential losses or damages. It is similar to a liability waiver but is usually more specific, applicable only to particular items, circumstances, or situations, or in regard to a particular contract.

Why is an indemnity better than damages?

For example, if you hire a contractor to do some work and they accidentally damage your property, an indemnity clause in your contract would ensure that the contractor is responsible for covering the repair costs. Without it, you would only be able to claim damages (see below).

Does indemnification mean you can't sue?

Does indemnification relieve the person being indemnified by any third parties? No this is a huge misconception. Ppl think that they get an indemnification, that they are somehow shielded and third parties can't sue them, they can only sue the person indemnifying.

What is an example of a mutual hold harmless?

The undersigned, [FIRST PARTY NAME] hereby undertakes to indemnify and hold harmless [SECOND PARTY NAME] from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, debts, duties, accounts, bonds, contracts, claims and demands whatsoever resulting from any action or omission (including without limitation any failure to file any ...

Why would a house have a hold harmless agreement?

Protects against liabilities that occur while someone performs a defined service. For example, a contractor on a construction job agrees to hold the homeowner harmless if anything happens to the contractor while working on the project.

Can I write my own hold harmless agreement?

Draft a Hold Harmless Agreement

Identify the two parties involved in the agreement, as well as their responsibilities and liabilities. Clearly define the circumstances under which each party is held harmless. Include any additional considerations, such as indemnification or limitation of liability.

What is the difference between a waiver and a hold harmless agreement?

A hold harmless agreement differs in that it shifts liability. While a waiver of subrogation is protection from liability, it doesn't shift the liability as a hold harmless agreement does.

What is a hold harmless agreement after settlement?

A hold harmless agreement is defined as a contractual arrangement, usually in a settlement release where one party assumes the liability inherent in a situation, which relieves the other party of any responsibility. So “hold harmless” or “save harmless” means to fully compensate the indemnitee for all loss and expense.

What is hold harmless explanation?

Hold Harmless Agreement:

An agreement whereby the first party (the indemnitor) agrees to hold a second party (the indemnitee) harmless from tort liability arising out of the indemnitor's negligent act or omission.

What is an example of a simple indemnity clause?

Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from any liabilities, losses, damages, costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees), causes of action, suits, claims, demands, or judgments arising from any injury or damage on the Demised Premises or adjoining sidewalks, streets, or ways, resulting from Tenant's use ...

Who is protected in a hold harmless agreement?

A hold harmless clause is used to protect the service provider in a contract from being held liable for damages or losses sustained by the party using those services.