Hold Harmless
A promise not to hold the other party responsible for certain losses.
What it means
A hold-harmless provision is a promise that one party will not hold the other responsible for certain losses or claims — it almost always travels with indemnification in the phrase 'indemnify and hold harmless.' Many courts treat the two as a single obligation; others read 'hold harmless' as also shielding the protected party from claims brought by the promisor itself. As with indemnity, the scope — whose conduct, which claims — is what matters.
Why it matters before you sign
'Indemnify and hold harmless' is one of the heaviest phrases in any contract — before signing, know exactly which claims you are absorbing and whether the obligation runs both ways.
In a contract, it looks like this
The vendor agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the venue from claims arising out of the vendor's operations at the event.
This definition is a general, educational explanation — not legal advice. XOsign provides AI-assisted document tools and does not provide legal advice; consider consulting a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Requirements vary by state.
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