Opinion ID: 2394898
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: comparative indemnity

Text: Santa Fe next contends that the agreement entitles Santa Fe to contractual comparative indemnity to the extent of Santa Fe's negligence. If the jury had not determined that Santa Fe violated the SAA, Santa Fe still would have been partially liable for McNeill's damages based on the jury's finding that Santa Fe was 55% negligent. Because an SAA violation contributed to his injury, the trial court did not reduce McNeill's award by 45%, the percentage of his contributory negligence. Thus, Santa Fe argues that only 45% of McNeill's award can be attributed to SAA violations, entitling it to indemnity for 55% of McNeill's award, the amount attributable to the jury's negligence findings. Parties may provide for comparative indemnity, but must expressly state their intent to do so in the agreement. Ethyl, 725 S.W.2d at 708. The indemnity agreement between HL & P and Santa Fe contains no provision for comparative indemnity. Therefore, we reject Santa Fe's argument.