Opinion ID: 1253453
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Heading: Indemnitythe Law Generally.

Text: Generally speaking, [i]ndemnity is a right which inures to one who discharges a duty owed by him, but which, as between himself and another, should have been discharged by the other. 41 Am. Jur.2d Indemnity § 1, at 347 (1995). It is a device by which a tort-feasor `passes through' his entire liability to a third party whom the tort-feasor alleges is the real party responsible for injury. 42 C.J.S. Indemnity § 2, at 73 (1991). Iowa recognizes both statutory and common-law indemnity rights. Statutory indemnification is that which is permitted under the Iowa Code. For example, under Iowa Code section 85.22(1), an employer or employer's insurer has a statutory right to be indemnified and to have a lien on any recovery or judgment entered in an action against a third-party tortfeasor. Daniels v. Hi-Way Truck Equip., Inc., 505 N.W.2d 485, 487 (Iowa 1993). Common-law indemnity can arise either by contract or, as in case of a tort, by law. See Farmers Coop. Co. v. Stockdales' Corp., 366 N.W.2d 184, 186 (Iowa 1985). This court has recognized several grounds of common-law indemnity: (1) express contract; (2) vicarious liability; (3) breach of an independent duty between the indemnitor and indemnitee; and (4) the primary or active tortious conduct of the indemnitor as compared to the secondary or passive tortious conduct of the indemnitee. Id. The first three grounds are based upon a relationship existing between the indemnitor and the indemnitee. Id. The fourth ground is based solely upon a common liability arising from the concurrent negligence of the parties. Id. Since Farmers, we have abandoned the primary/active versus secondary/passive liability because it is incompatible with our statutory network of comparative fault. Am. Trust & Sav. Bank v. United States Fid. & Guar. Co., 439 N.W.2d 188, 190 (Iowa 1989). This court has recognized the common-law doctrine of indemnity, absent a contract, in four situations: (1) Where the one seeking indemnity has only a derivative or vicarious liability for damage caused by the one sought to be charged. (2) Where the one seeking indemnity has incurred liability by action at the direction, in the interest of, and in reliance upon the one sought to be charged. Restatement Restitution, Sec. 90. (3) Where the one seeking indemnity has incurred liability because of a breach of duty owed to him by the one sought to be charged. (4) Where the one seeking indemnity has incurred liability merely because of failure, even though negligent, to discover or prevent the misconduct of the one sought to be charged. C.F. Sales, Inc. v. Amfert, Inc., 344 N.W.2d 543, 553-54 (Iowa 1983) (quoting Peters v. Lyons, 168 N.W.2d 759, 767 (Iowa 1969)).