Opinion ID: 593933
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: BASF's Negligence is Material

Text: 5 The district court recognized (correctly so) that under Polozola v. Garlock, Inc. 1 and Soverign Insurance Co. v. Texas Pipe Line Co., 2 this contract does not provide indemnification against the consequences of BASF's own negligence. S & S agreed to defend and indemnify BASF against claims for personal injury which occurs in any way, directly or indirectly, as the result of Contractor's prosecution of the work. Because the contract does not express in unequivocal terms the intent to indemnify against losses resulting from the indemnitee's own negligent acts, such losses are not covered. See Polozola, 343 So.2d at 1003; Soverign, 488 So.2d at 983. 3 6 Thus the question whether the plaintiffs' claims are a consequence of BASF's own negligence is a material fact bearing on whether S & S will owe indemnity. If BASF's negligence did cause the injuries, the claims are not within the indemnity provision; if BASF is found free from fault, however, S & S will owe costs of defense.