Indemnity Clause in Settlement

Indemnity Clause in Settlement

Indemnity Clause in Settlement

Settlement indemnity provisions require the plaintiff to satisfy liens and to indemnify the defendant against claims by lienholders, medical providers, or insurers asserting rights to the proceeds.

Indemnity does not bind the lienholder.

Alternative Names:

Settlement Indemnity, Hold Harmless in Settlement

Why it Matters?

The provision protects the defendant contractually but does not defeat a lienholder's independent statutory rights, so a Medicare or ERISA plan can pursue the defendant regardless of the indemnity. That makes indemnity a backstop rather than a solution, and verifying lien resolution before funding is the actual protection. Plaintiff counsel indemnifying personally rather than only on behalf of the client adds meaningful security.

Frequently asked questions

Does indemnity protect against lienholder claims?

Does indemnity protect against lienholder claims?

Contractually against the plaintiff, but not against the lienholder, whose statutory recovery rights operate independently of the settlement.

What is the actual protection?

What is the actual protection?

Verifying lien resolution before funding, with indemnity serving as a backstop rather than the primary safeguard.