Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: LRE
Hold harmless means that one party promises not to blame or sue the other party if something goes wrong. For example, if you rent a store and the landlord promises to keep it safe, but you get hurt because the landlord didn't fix something, you might agree not to sue the landlord if they promise to pay for your medical bills. This promise is called a hold harmless clause. It's not allowed in most homes, but it might be okay in stores or offices.
Hold harmless is a legal promise made in a contract. It means that one party agrees not to hold the other party responsible if something goes wrong. For example, if you rent an apartment, the lease might include a hold harmless clause. This means that you promise not to sue the landlord if you get hurt because of something the landlord did or didn't do.
Hold harmless clauses are usually not allowed in residential leases, but they can be used in commercial leases. For instance, a business owner might agree not to sue the landlord if a customer gets hurt on the property.
Here's an example: A company hires a contractor to build a new office building. The contract includes a hold harmless clause. This means that if the contractor accidentally damages something while building the office, the company won't sue the contractor for the cost of the damage.
The examples illustrate how hold harmless clauses work. They protect one party from being sued by the other party if something goes wrong. This can be helpful in situations where accidents are more likely to happen, like construction sites or commercial properties.