Architect-Engineer's Duty to Defend Is Immediate Under Construction Indemnity Clause
By Helen Lauderdale
Indemnification clauses in construction contracts often state that one party to the contract – the "indemnitor" – will defend and indemnify the other party from particular types of claims. On construction projects, the "indemnitors" are typically the contractor and architect/engineer ("A-E") who agree to defend and indemnify the owner – the "indemnitee." If the owner is sued for construction defects or personal injury which implicate the contractor or A-E, the owner usually tenders the lawsuit to them for defense and indemnity.
