Hold-harmless Clause

A contract provision whereby one party agrees to indemnify and protect the other party from any injuries or lawsuits arising out of the particular transaction. Such clauses are usually found in leases in which the lessee agrees to “indemnify, defend, and hold harmless” the lessor from claims and suits of third persons for damage resulting from the lessee’s negligence on the leased premises. Hold-harmless clauses are also found in property management contracts when the owner holds the agent harmless for all damages except those caused by the agent’s negligence or fraud.