In the world of industrial contracts, the devil often lies in the details – especially when it comes to indemnity clauses. These clauses determine who bears the financial responsibility if something goes wrong, and they can be a source of heated legal battles. This is precisely what happened in the case of Godfrey T. Fagot v. Dow Chemical Company, et al., where Turner Industries and Honeywell International clashed over the interpretation of their contracts.
The Underlying Lawsuit:
Godfrey Fagot, a former pipefitter/welder, sued several companies, including Turner Industries and Honeywell, claiming he developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure while working at Honeywell’s facility. Turner, a contractor for Honeywell, had signed contracts in 1978 and 1985 containing indemnity provisions.