Opinion ID: 2423272
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Indemnification Agreements

Text: In December 2002, AIC entered into a contract with Best Buy, agreeing to furnish seven-day-a-week cleaning services to forty-seven Best Buy stores, including the Holmdel store at issue in this case. Under the agreement, AIC was permitted to delegate its duties to others but remained solely responsible for the conduct of all such Subcontractors. The contractdenominated as the Floor Care Service Agreementprovided that AIC would indemnify, defend and hold harmless, Best Buy ... from and against any and all losses, costs, obligations, liabilities, damages, actions, suits, causes of action, claims, demands, settlements, judgments, and other expenses (including but not limited to cost of defense, settlement, and reasonable attorney's fees) of whatever type or nature, ... which are asserted against, incurred, imposed upon or suffered by Best Buy by reason of, or arising from: (1) the breach of this Agreement by Contractor.... [(Emphasis added).] In March 2004, AIC subcontracted to All Cleaning the cleaning and maintenance of certain designated Best Buy stores, including the Holmdel store. In accordance with the agreement, All Cleaning performed floor-cleaning services at the Best Buy store in Holmdel seven days a week. The agreement between AIC and All Cleaningdrafted by AICrequired All Cleaning to defend, hold harmless, and indemnify [AIC], [its] officers, shareholders, directors, agents, attorneys, employees and each of [its] customers from any connection with any act of negligence, omission, or conduct arising out of the operation of [All Cleaning's] business and [its] performance or non-performance of the Services. [(Emphasis added).] AIC provided protocols for the cleaning of Best Buy stores and training for All Cleaning personnel. In addition, AIC was responsible for inspecting the work performed by All Cleaning.